Identification and Attenuation of the Immunosuppressive Domains in Fusion Proteins of Enveloped RNA Viruses

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to enveloped RNA viruses. The invention in particular relates to the generation of superior antigens for mounting an immune response by first identifying then mutating the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses resulting in decreased immunosuppressive properties of viral envelope proteins from the viruses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/179,005 filed 10 Jun. 2016, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/350,151 filed 7 Apr. 2014, now abandoned, which is the U.S. national phase of PCT/DK2012/050381 filed 5 Oct. 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/544,441 filed 7 Oct. 2011 and Danish Appl. No. PA 2011 70564 filed 7 Oct. 2011. Each of the aforementioned applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to enveloped RNA viruses. In particular, the invention relates to the generation of superior antigens for mounting an immune response by first identifying then mutating the immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins of enveloped RNA viruses resulting in decreased immunosuppressive properties of viral envelope proteins from said viruses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Classification of Viruses

ICTV Classification

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) developed the current classification system and wrote guidelines that put a greater weight on certain virus properties to maintain family uniformity. A unified taxonomy (a universal system for classifying viruses) has been established. The 7th ICTV Report formalized for the first time the concept of the virus species as the lowest taxon (group) in a branching hierarchy of viral taxa. However, at present only a small part of the total diversity of viruses has been studied, with analyses of samples from humans finding that about 20% of the virus sequences recovered have not been seen before, and samples from the environment, such as from seawater and ocean sediments, finding that the large majority of sequences are completely novel.

The general taxonomic structure is as follows:

-   -   Order (-virales)     -   Family (-viridae)     -   Subfamily (-virinae)     -   Genus (-virus)     -   Species (-virus)

In the current (2008) ICTV taxonomy, five orders have been established, the Caudovirales, Herpesvirales, Mononegavirales, Nidovirales, and Picornavirales. The committee does not formally distinguish between subspecies, strains, and isolates. In total there are 5 orders, 82 families, 11 subfamilies, 307 genera, 2,083 species and about 3,000 types yet unclassified.

Baltimore Classification

The Baltimore Classification of viruses is based on the method of viral mRNA synthesis.

The ICTV classification system is used in conjunction with the Baltimore classification system in modern virus classification.

The Baltimore classification of viruses is based on the mechanism of mRNA production. Viruses must generate mRNAs from their genomes to produce proteins and replicate themselves, but different mechanisms are used to achieve this in each virus family. Viral genomes may be single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds), RNA or DNA, and may or may not use reverse transcriptase (RT). Additionally, ssRNA viruses may be either sense (+) or antisense (−). This classification places viruses into seven groups:

-   -   I: dsDNA viruses (e.g. Adenoviruses, Herpesviruses, Poxviruses)     -   II: ssDNA viruses (+)sense DNA (e.g. Parvoviruses)     -   III: dsRNA viruses (e.g. Reoviruses)     -   IV: (+)ssRNA viruses (+)sense RNA (e.g. Picornaviruses,         Togaviruses)     -   V: (−)ssRNA viruses (−)sense RNA (e.g. Orthomyxoviruses,         Rhabdoviruses)     -   VI: ssRNA-RT viruses (+)sense RNA with DNA intermediate in         life-cycle (e.g. Retroviruses)     -   VII: dsDNA-RT viruses (e.g. Hepadnaviruses)

As an example of viral classification, the chicken pox virus, varicella zoster (VZV), belongs to the order Herpesvirales, family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, and genus Varicellovirus. VZV is in Group I of the Baltimore Classification because it is a dsDNA virus that does not use reverse transcriptase.

Many viruses (e.g. influenza and many animal viruses) have viral envelopes covering their protein cores. The envelopes typically are derived from portions of the host cell membranes (phospholipids and proteins), but include some viral glycoproteins. Functionally, viral envelopes are used to enable viruses to enter host cells. Glycoproteins on the surface of the envelope serve to identify and bind to receptor sites on the host's membrane. Subsequently the viral envelope then fuses with that of the host's, allowing the viral capsid and viral genome to enter and infect the host.

Typically, in RNA viruses a single transmembrane glycoprotein, a fusion protein, undergoes a conformational transition triggered by receptor recognition or low pH, leading to the insertion of a fusion peptide into the plasma membrane or the membrane of an endocytic vesicle. For some RNA viruses, including members of the paramyxovirus family, separate envelope proteins mediate attachment and fusion.

Membrane fusion can occur either at the plasma membrane or at an intracellular location following internalization of virus by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Fusion is mediated by viral transmembrane proteins known as fusion proteins. Upon appropriate triggering, the fusion protein interacts with the target membrane through a hydrophobic fusion peptide and undergoes a conformational change that drives the membrane fusion reaction. There are a variety of fusion triggers, including various combinations of receptor binding, receptor/coreceptor binding, and exposure to the mildly acidic pH within the endocytic pathway. Fusion proteins from different viruses have different names in spite of the common functionality.

Based on important structural features, many virus membrane fusion proteins are currently annotated to either the “class I” membrane fusion proteins exemplified by the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) or HIV-1 gp41, or the “class II” proteins of the alphaviruses and flaviviruses. The alphaviruses and flaviviruses are members of the Togaviridae and Flaviviridae families, respectively. These small enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses are composed of a capsid protein that assembles with the RNA into the nucleocapsid, and a lipid bilayer containing the viral transmembrane (TM) proteins.

Class I fusion proteins are synthesized as single chain precursors, which then assemble into trimers. The polypeptides are then cleaved by host proteases, which is an essential step in rendering the proteins fusion competent. This proteolytic event occurs late in the biosynthetic process because the fusion proteins, once cleaved are metastable and readily activated. Once activated, the protein refolds into a highly stable conformation. The timing of this latter event is of crucial importance in the fusion process. Maintenance of the intact precursor polypeptide during folding and assembly of the oligomeric structure is essential if the free energy that is released during the refolding event is to be available to overcome the inherent barriers to membrane fusion. The new amino-terminal region that is created by the cleavage event contains a hydrophobic sequence, which is known as the fusion peptide. The authentic carboxy-terminal region of the precursor polypeptide contains the transmembrane anchor. In the carboxy-terminal polypeptide, there are sequences known as the heptad repeat that are predicted to have an alpha helical structure and to form a coiled coil structure. These sequences participate in the formation of highly stable structure that characterizes the post-fusion conformation of the fusion protein.

The class II fusion proteins are elongated finger-like molecules with three globular domains composed almost entirely of ß-sheets. Domain I is a ß-barrel that contains the N-terminus and two long insertions that connect adjacent ß-strands and together form the elongated domain II. The first of these insertions contains the highly conserved fusion peptide loop at its tip, connecting the c and d ß-strands of domain II (termed the cd loop) and containing 4 conserved disulfide bonds including several that are located at the base of the fusion loop. The second insertion contains the ij loop at its tip, adjacent to the fusion loop, and one conserved disulfide bond at its base. A hinge region is located between domains I and II. A short linker region connects domain I to domain III, a ß-barrel with an immunoglobulin-like fold stabilized by three conserved disulfide bonds. In the full-length molecule, domain III is followed by a stem region that connects the protein to the virus TM anchor. Fitting of the structure of alphavirus E1 to cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of the virus particle reveals that E1 is located almost parallel to the virus membrane, and that E1-E1 interactions form the an icosahedral lattice.

Immunosuppressive Properties of Enveloped Viruses with Type I Fusion Proteins

Fusion proteins of a subset of enveloped Type I [1] viruses (retrovirus, lentivirus and filoviruses) have previously been shown to feature an immune suppressive activity. Inactivated retroviruses are able to inhibit proliferation of immune cells upon stimulation [2-4]. Expression of these proteins is enough to enable allogenic cells to grow to a tumor in immune competent mice. In one study, introduction of ENV expressing construct into MCA205 murine tumor cells, which do not proliferate upon s.c. injection into an allogeneic host, or into CL8.1 murine tumor cells (which overexpress class I antigens and are rejected in a syngeneic host) resulted in tumor growth in both cases [5]. Such immunosuppressive domains have been found in a variety of different viruses with type 1 fusion mechanism such as gamma-retroviruses like Mason pfeizer monkey virus (MPMV) and murine leukemia virus (MLV), lentiviruses such as HIV and in filoviruses such as Ebola and Marburg viruses [6-9].

This immune suppressive activity was in all cases located to a very well-defined structure within the class I fusion proteins, more precisely at the bend in the heptad repeat just N-terminale of the transmembrane structure in the fusion protein. The immunosuppressive effects range from significant inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation [7, 8], cytokine skewing (up regulating IL-10; down regulating TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ) [10] and inhibition of monocytic burst [11] to cytotoxic T cell killing [12]. Importantly, peptides spanning ISD in these assays must either be linked as dimers or coupled to a carrier (i.e. >monomeric) to be active. Such peptides derived from immune-suppressive domains are able to reduce or abolish immune responses such as cytokine secretion or proliferation of T-cells upon stimulation. The protection mediated by the immunosuppressive properties of the fusion protein from the immune system of the host is not limited to the fusion protein but covers all the viral envelope proteins displayed at viral or cellular membranes in particular also the protein mediating attachment of the virus to the cell.

Co-Location of the Immunosuppression Domain and the Fusion Domain

The immunosuppressive domain of retro-, lenti- and filoviruses overlap a structurally important part of the fusion subunits of the envelope proteins. Although the primary structure (sequence) of this part of the fusion proteins can vary greatly from virus to virus, the secondary structure, which is very well preserved among different virus families, is that of an alpha helix that bends in different ways during the fusion process This structure plays a crucial role during events that result in fusion of viral and cellular membranes. It is evident that the immunosuppressive domains of these (retroviral, lentiviral and filoviral) class I fusion proteins overlap with a very important protein structure needed for the fusion proteins mechanistic function.

The energy needed for mediating the fusion of viral and cellular membranes is stored in the fusion proteins, which are thus found in a meta-stable conformation on the viral surface. Once the energy is released to drive the fusion event, the protein will find its most energetically stable conformation. In this regard fusion proteins can be compared with loaded springs that are ready to be sprung. This high energy conformation makes the viral fusion proteins very susceptible to modifications; Small changes in the primary structure of the protein often result in the protein to be folded in its stable post fusion conformation. The two conformations present very different tertiary structures of the same protein.

It has been shown in the case of simple retroviruses that small structural changes in the envelope protein are sufficient to remove the immune suppressive effect without changing structure and hence the antigenic profile.

The mutated non-immune suppressive envelope proteins are much better antigens for vaccination. The proteins can induce a 30-fold enhancement of anti-env antibody titers when used for vaccination and are much better at launching an effective CTL response [6]. Furthermore, viruses that contain the non-immunosuppressive form of the friend murine leukemia virus envelope protein, although fully infectious in irradiated immunocompromised mice cannot establish an infection in immunocompetent animals. Interestingly in the latter group the non-immunosuppressive viruses induce both a higher cellular and humeral immune response, which fully protect the animals from subsequent challenge by wild type viruses [13].

Immunosuppressive domains in the fusion proteins (viral envelope proteins) from Retroviruses, lentiviruses and Filoviruses have been known since 1985 for retrovirus [7], since 1988 for lentivirus [8] and since 1992 for filoviruses [14]. These viruses, as mentioned above, all belong to enveloped RNA viruses with a type I fusion mechanism. The immunosuppressive domains of lentivirus, retroviruses and filoviruses show large structural similarity. Furthermore the immunosuppressive domain of these viruses are all located at the same position in the structure of the fusion protein, more precisely in the linker between the two heptad repeat structures just N-terminal of the transmembrane domain in the fusion protein. These heptad repeat regions constitute two alpha helices that play a critical role in the active mechanism of membrane fusion by these proteins. The immune suppressive domains can be located in relation to two well conserved cystein residues that are found in these structures. These cystein residues are between 4 and 6 amino acid residues from one another and in many cases are believed to form disulfide bridges that stabilize the fusion proteins. The immune suppressive domains in all three cases include at least some of the first 22 amino acids that are located N-terminal to the first cysteine residue. Recently the immunosuppressive domains in the fusion protein of these viruses have been successfully altered in such a way that the fusogenic properties of the fusion protein have been preserved. Such mutated fusion proteins with decreased immunosuppressive properties have been shown to be superior antigens for vaccination purposes [13].

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have been able to devise methods for the identification of new immunosuppressive domains or potentially immunosuppressive domains located in proteins displayed at the surface of enveloped RNA viruses. The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found immunosuppressive domains or potentially immunosuppressive domains in fusion proteins in a large number of other enveloped RNA viruses in addition to lentivirus, retrovirus and filovirus, where such immunosuppressive domains had not been described previously. In addition, the inventors have been able to develop methods for mutating said immunosuppressive domains in order to reduce the immunosuppressive properties of viral surface proteins, which are useful for providing strategies for producing new vaccines with improved properties by making superior antigens, or for generation of neutralizing antibodies. Through such approaches, the inventors have been able to propose vaccination regimes against different types of viruses such as e.g. Hepatitis C, Dengue virus and Influenza where effective vaccination regimes have been in great demand for many years. This may allow the production of vaccines against virus for which no vaccines has been known e.g. hepatitis C and Dengue, as well as improved versions of known vaccines, e.g. for Influenza.

According to an aspect, the inventors propose the use of up to four parameters for the identification of immunosuppressive domain in enveloped RNA viruses with hitherto un-described immunosuppressive properties. Proposed parameters used as part of a strategy for identifying a peptide sequence or a peptide which likely acts as immunosuppressive domains may comprise one or more of the following parameters (preferably all parameters are used):

1): The peptide is preferably located in the fusion protein of enveloped RNA viruses;

2): The peptide is preferably capable of interacting with membranes;

3): Preferably a high degree of homology in the primary structure (sequence) of the peptide of said domain exists either within the Order, Family, Subfamily, Genus, or Species of viruses. This feature is due to the immunosuppressive domain being under a dual selection pressures, one as an immunosuppressive entity ensuring protection of the viral particle from the host immune system, another as a peptide interacting with membranes;

4): The position at the surface of the fusion protein at a given conformation is preferably a feature of immunosuppressive domains. This can be revealed either by position in a 3D structure or by antibody staining of cells expressing the fusion protein or on viral surfaces displaying the fusion protein.

Based upon these parameters the inventors have inter alia identified three new groups of enveloped RNA viruses with immunosuppressive domains in their fusion protein:

1: The inventors have identified immunosuppressive domains among enveloped RNA viruses with type II fusion mechanism. Hitherto, immunosuppressive domains have not been described for any enveloped RNA viruses with a type II fusion mechanism. Immunosuppressive domains have been identified by the inventors at two positions in two different groups of viruses:

-   -   i. Co-localizing with the fusion peptide exemplified by the         identification of an common immunosuppressive domain in the         fusion peptide of Flavirius (Dengue virus, west Nile virus etc),         and     -   ii. In the hydrophobic alpha helix N-terminal of the         transmembrane domain in the fusion protein exemplified by the         finding of an immunosuppressive domain in said helixes of all         flaviridae e.g. Hepatitis C virus, Dengue, west nile etc.

2: The inventors have identified immunosuppressive domains in the fusion protein among enveloped RNA viruses with type I fusion mechanism (excluding lentivirus, retrovirus and filovirus). This position co-localizes with the fusion peptide of said fusion protein as demonstrated by the identification of a common immunosuppressive domain in the fusion peptide of all Influenza A and B types.

3: The inventors have identified potential immunosuppressive domains located at various positions of type I enveloped RNA viruses (excluding lentivirus, retrovirus and filovirus) as well as in enveloped RNA viruses featuring a fusion protein with neither a type I nor a type II fusion structure.

After identification of the immunosuppressive domains these must be mutated in order to decrease or completely abrogate the immunosuppressive properties of the whole envelope protein (preferably both the attachment and fusion part of the envelope protein if these are separate proteins). Such viral envelope proteins with reduced immunosuppressive properties are ideal candidates for use as antigens in vaccine compositions or for the production of neutralizing antibodies.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for identifying an immunosuppressive domain of an enveloped RNA virus containing a lipid membrane, said method comprising the following steps:

-   -   a. Identifying the fusion protein of said virus;     -   b. Identifying at least one well conserved domain preferably         among the membrane associated domains of said fusion protein         (where the immunosuppressive domain is preferably located at the         surface of the protein in one or more of the different         conformations of the fusion protein undergoing fusion);     -   c. Optionally multimerizing or dimerizing said peptide; and     -   d. Confirming the immunosuppressive activity of at least one         optionally multimerized or dimerized peptide by testing said         optionally dimerized or multimerized peptide for         immunosuppressive activity.

Concerning step a., fusion proteins or putative fusion proteins are usually identified by searching scientific databases, e.g. such as searching NCBI taxonomy database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/) and selecting proteins of the Family, Subfamily, Genus or Species to be investigated and subsequently searching these for fusion, or the specific fusion protein, such as the protein listed in Table 1 below.

Concerning step b., vira are divided according to the following classification: Order (-virales), Family (-viridae), Subfamily (-virinae), Genus (-virus), Species (-virus). In order to localize conserved regions in the fusion proteins one or a few candidates from all viruses within an order are aligned first using an alignment tool such as the cobalt alignment tool (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/tools/cobalt/). If stretches of conserved amino acids, such as ranging from 6 to 30 amino acids long, can be identified these are considered as candidates for immunosuppressive regions and are subjected to further investigation. If no candidates are found in an order, the same procedure is applied to the family of viruses. If still no candidates are found by testing different viruses belonging to a family of viruses we move on to the subfamily of viruses. If we cannot localize regions of homology among the subfamily we then test viruses from a genus and if we still cannot localize regions of homology we ultimately align as many possible individual viral sequences from a single species of virus (up to 1400 individual viral sequences). In general regions of homology are identified by having at least 25%, more preferred at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferred at least 50%, more preferred at least 60%, preferably at least 70%, and even more preferably at least 75% homology (i.e. sequence identity) within a given region.

Concerning step c., the dimerized peptide could be synthetic, the multimerized peptide could be displayed as dimerized or trimerized fusion proteins either displayed alone or on membranes such as a viral particle. Alternatively the multimerized peptides can be coupled to a carrier protein.

According to another aspect, the invention concerns a method for decreasing or completely abrogating the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of a fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus containing a lipid membrane, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   e. Mutating an immunosuppressive domain to produce at least one,         preferably a plurality of mutated peptides     -   f. Optionally dimerizing or multimerizing said at least one,         preferably plurality of mutated peptides;     -   g. Selecting at least one of said, preferably a plurality of         said mutated peptides by testing for reduced immunosuppressive         properties, preferably as shown by at least 25% reduction as         compared to a wildtype peptide mono-, di- or multimer         corresponding to the multimerization status of said mutated         peptides;     -   h. Mutating a fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus         containing a lipid membrane to contain said selected mutated         peptide having reduced immunosuppressive properties;     -   i. Confirming expression by testing the whole viral envelope         protein encompassing said mutated fusion protein for capability         of being expressed by at least one of cellular or viral         surfaces.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method, further comprising the step of:

-   -   j. Using said viral envelope protein encompassing said mutated         fusion protein with reduced immunosuppressive properties as an         antigen for generation of an enhanced immune response.

A number of strategies are proposed for knock-out (i.e. decreasing or completely abrogating) of the immunosuppressive domain, these strategies comprise, but are not limited to, mutating or modifying the immunosuppressive domain into having the sequence of a mutant. A knock-out may be achieved e.g. by mutation, deletion or insertion in an immunosuppressive domain. A mutation may be at least one exchange of an amino acid with another amino acid, at least one insertion, at least one deletion, or a combination of one or more of these.

Mutants decreasing or completely abrogating the immunosuppressive properties will be identified by performing a complete or partly scanning of said immunosuppressive peptide with either Isoleucine, Alanine Leucine, Asparagine, Lysine, Aspartic acid, Methionine, Cysteine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic acid, Threonine, Glutamine, Tryptophan, Glycine, Valine, Proline, Serine, Tyrosine, Arginine, Histidine, insertions, deletions or point mutations. Alternatively the literature will be searched for mutations in said regions where said mutation did not eliminate expression of the fusion protein on the surface of the cell or viral envelope. Dimerized versions of said mutants may be tested in a cell proliferation assay. The literature provides further details (as an example see Cross K J, Wharton S A, Skehel J J, Wiley D C, Steinhauer D A. Studies on influenza haemagglutinin fusion peptide mutants generated by reverse genetics. EMBO J. 2001 Aug. 15; 20(16):4432-42).

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for identifying an immunosuppressive domain in the fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus having a lipid membrane, said method comprising:

-   -   a. Identifying at least one well conserved domain among the         group consisting of the membrane associated domains of the         fusion protein and the surface associated domains of the fusion         protein;     -   b. Providing at least one peptide with the sequence of said         identified at least one well conserved domain;     -   c. Optionally dimerizing or multimerizing said at least one         peptide; and     -   d. Confirming the immunosuppressive activity of said at least         one optionally dimerized or multimerized peptide by testing said         at least one optionally dimerized or multimerized peptide for         immunosuppressive activity.

According to another aspect, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain identified according to the invention.

According to another aspect, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain selected among the sequences of Table 1 and Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for decreasing or completely abrogating the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus having a lipid membrane, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   e. Mutating an immunosuppressive domain to provide at least one         mutated peptide;     -   f. Optionally dimerizing or multimerizing said at least one         mutated peptide;     -   g. Selecting one of said optionally dimerized or multimerized         mutated peptides showing reduced immunosuppressive properties;     -   h. Mutating the fusion protein of the enveloped RNA virus to         contain said selected mutated peptide having reduced         immunosuppressive properties;     -   i. Confirming expression by testing the viral envelope protein         encompassing said mutated fusion protein for capability of being         expressed by at least one of cellular or viral surfaces.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a mutated peptide providing reduced immunosuppressive properties, said mutated peptide having a sequence according to Table 1 or any of Seq. Id. 201-203 or obtainable as said selected mutated peptide of the method according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for generating an enhanced immune response further comprising the step of:

-   -   j. Using said viral envelope protein encompassing said mutated         fusion protein with reduced immunosuppressive properties as an         antigen for generation of an enhanced immune response.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for making an envelope protein having diminished immunosuppressive activity, comprising: Mutating or modifying an immunosuppressive domain, identifiable according to the invention, of an enveloped RNA virus with a lipid membrane surrounding the core, to include a peptide obtainable according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an envelope protein obtainable according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a mutated envelope protein obtainable according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a viral fusion protein from an enveloped RNA virus with reduced immunosuppressive properties, said fusion protein encompassing a mutated peptide, said mutated peptide displaying reduced immunosuppression, and said mutated peptide replacing an un-mutated wildtype peptide having a sequence of an ISU of Table 1 or is selected among Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an envelope protein comprising a mutated peptide according to the invention, said mutated fusion protein being displayed on the surface of cells wherein said mutated fusion protein is expressed.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an enveloped RNA virus, different from a viruses selected among the group consisting of Retrovirus, Lentivirus and Filovirus, wherein an immunosuppressive domain has been modified or mutated to decrease or completely abrogate the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a virus selected among the vira of Table 1, wherein an immunosuppressive domain has been modified or mutated to decrease or completely abrogate the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an antigen obtainable by selecting a part of a mutated envelope protein according to the invention, said part comprising the mutated domain of said envelope protein.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a nucleic acid sequence, preferably recombinant, encoding a mutated envelope protein, an envelope polypeptide or an antigen according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an isolated eukaryotic expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing an antibody, said method comprising the steps of: Administering an entity selected among a mutated envelope, an envelope polypeptide, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence or a vector according to the invention to a host, such as an animal; and obtaining the antibody from said host.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns an antibody obtainable according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns neutralizing antibodies obtained or identified by the use of at least one envelope protein according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing neutralizing antibodies comprising the use of at least one protein according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing humanized neutralizing antibodies, comprising the use of at least one sequence selected among the sequences of Table 1 and sequences 201 to 203.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a vaccine comprising a virus according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a vaccine composition comprising an envelope protein according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a vaccine composition comprising an entity selected among the group consisting of a mutated envelope protein, an envelope polypeptide, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector and an antibody according to the invention, and in addition at least one excipient, carrier or diluent.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a medical composition comprising antibodies raised using a virus according to the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector, an antibody or a vaccine composition according to the invention, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluents or carrier.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a use of a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector or an antibody according to the invention, for a medical purpose, such as for the treatment, amelioration or prevention of a clinical condition, and/or such as for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment, amelioration or prevention of a clinical condition.

According to an aspect, the invention concerns a method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, antigen, nucleic acid sequence, vector or vaccine composition according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the result of an experiment using Influenza derived peptides, and the effect of the dimeric peptides on proliferation of CTLL-2 cells. The peptides are coupled through an ss-bond involving the cysteine residues. The wt INF peptide inhibits synthesis of new DNA, whereas the non-IS #1 peptide has a much less and the non-IS #2 peptide no significant effect.

INF wt: (SEQ ID NO: 214) GLFGAIAGFIENGWEGCGGEKEKEK INF non-IS #1: (SEQ ID NO: 215) GLFGAAGFIENGWEGCGGEKEKEK INF non-IS #2: (SEQ ID NO: 216) GLFAGFIENGWEGCGGEKEKEK

FIG. 2 shows the result of two independent experiments on Flavi virus derived peptides.

FLV IS/1 and FLV IS/2 are two independent experiments using the dimerized peptide: In both cases, a significant inhibition of proliferation of CTLL-2 cells is evident, while the monomeric peptide has no effect.

FLV IS/1 and FLV IS/2: dimeric (SEQ ID NO: 2) DRGWGNGCGLFGKG FLV IS mono/1: monomeric (SEQ ID NO: 2) DRGWGNGCGLFGKG

Control peptide: a dimerized non-immune suppressive control peptide.

The concentrations are given in μM.

FIG. 3 shows another experimental result. The dimeric peptide derived from Hepatitis C surface protein inhibits proliferation of T-cells in a concentration dependent manner.

Hep C IS peptide has the sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 217) PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDVQCGGEKEKEK

FIG. 4 shows yet an experimental result. The effect of the dimeric peptides derived from Flavi viruses on proliferation of CTLL-2 cells. The peptides are coupled through an ss-bond using the cysteine residues. FLV FUS non-IS is representative of a non-immune suppressive mutant.

Den H3: (SEQ ID NO: 218) GDTAWDFGSIGGVFTSVGKCGGEKEKEK FLV FUS non-IS: (SEQ ID NO: 202) DRGWGNGCGDFGKG

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Table 1 provides a list of viruses and their immunosuppressive domain(s). Asterix denotes extremely conserved sequence in the immunosuppressive domain for a given class, group, family or species of viruses. New immunosuppressive domains identified and tested in CTLL-2 assay for a given class, group, family or species of viruses are listed. Both the columns with “Putative ISU as described in this application for identification of immunosuppressive domains” and “Peptides from domains from fusion proteins exhibiting immunosuppressive activity (ISU)” are candidates for domains which are immunosuppressive. Note that all of the entries of the latter column, were originally identified by the inventors as a member of the former column. Due to the redundancy, the entries of the latter column were not included in the former column.

1: The inventors have identified immunosuppressive domains in the fusion proteins among enveloped RNA viruses with a type II fusion mechanism. Insofar immunosuppressive domains have not been previously described for type II enveloped RNA viruses. The immunosuppressive domain has been identified at two positions in the fusion protein in two different groups of viruses A: Co-localizing with the fusion peptide exemplified by the identification of an common immunosuppressive domain in the fusion peptide of Flavirus (Dengue virus, westNile virus etc.) and B: in the hydrophobic alpha helix N-terminal of the transmembrane domain in the fusion protein exemplified by the finding of an immunosuppressive domain in said helixes of Flaviridae e.g. Hepatitis C virus, Dengue, WestNile virus etc, cf. Table 1.

2: The inventors have identified immunosuppressive domains in the fusion protein among enveloped RNA viruses with type I fusion mechanism (excluding lentivirus, retrovirus and filovirus). This new position co-localizes with the fusion peptide of said fusion protein as demonstrated by the identification of a common immunosuppressive domain in the fusion peptide of all Influenza A and B types, cf. Table 1.

3: The inventors have identified potential immunosuppressive domains located at various positions of type I enveloped RNA viruses (excluding lentivirus, retrovirus and filovirus) and enveloped RNA viruses with neither Type I nor type II fusion mechanism, cf. Table 1.

TABLE 1 Peptides from domains knock- from out Putative ISU as fusion (K.O.) Name identified using proteins mutants of the criteria exhibiting of the envel- described in this immuno- immuno- ope IU application for sup sup- attach- group identification of pressive pressive ment/ and Species Species immunosuppressive activity domain fusion fusion Family Genus (group) (Strain) domains (ISU) (ISU) protein type Flavi- Flavi- Aroa Bussuquara SEQ ID NO: 85 SEQ ID Envel- Group Viridae virus virus virus NRGWNNGCGLFGKG NO: 202 ope 1 guape ************** DRGWGNG protein Type virus SEQ ID NO: 7 CGDFGKG prME II Naranjal GDAAWDFGSVGGVFNSLGK Fusion Fusion virus **o****o*****oo*o** protein mecha- Dengue Dengue 1 SEQ ID NO: 8 SEQ ID NO: 2 E nism virus GGTAWDFGSIGGVFTSVGK DRGWGNGCGLFGKG ******************* ************** Dengue 2 SEQ ID NO: 9 SEQ ID NO: 172 GDTAWDFGSLGGVFTSVGK KGSSIGKMFESTYR ***************oo** GAKRMAILG SEQ ID NO: 173 SEQ ID NO: 2 KGSSIGKMFEATARGARRM DRGWGNGCGLFGKG AILG ************** Dengue 3 SEQ ID NO: 174 SEQ ID NO: 2 KGSSIGQMFETTMRGAKRM DRGWGNGCGLFGKG AILG ************** SEQ ID NO: 204 GDTAWDFGSVGGVLNSLGK ******************* Dengue 4 SEQ ID NO: 10 SEQ ID NO: 2 GETAWDFGSVGGLLTSLGK DRGWGNGCGLFGKG ************oo***** ************** SEQ ID NO: 173 KGSSIGKMFEATARGARRM AILG Japanese Japanese SEQ ID NO: 11 SEQ ID NO: 2 encephalitis encephalitis LGDTAWDFGSIGGVFNSIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG virus virus ***o*************** ************** group Koutango SEQ ID NO: 12 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGIFTSLG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG ************** Murray SEQ ID NO: 13 SEQ ID NO: 2 Valley LGDTAWDFGSVGGVFNSIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG encephalitis ************** virus St. Louis SEQ ID NO: 11 SEQ ID NO: 2 encephalitis LGDTAWDFGSIGGVFNSIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG virus ******************* ************** Usutu SEQ ID NO: 14 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGIFNSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG ******************* ************** West Nile SEQ ID NO: lb SEQ ID NO: 2 virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGVFTSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG **********o******** ************** Kokobera Kokobera SEQ ID NO: 16 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus virus IGDDAWDFGSVGGILNSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG group unclassified Kokobera virus group Modoc Modoc virus SEQ ID NO: 17 virus VGSAFWNSDQRFSAINLMD group SEQ ID NO: 18 DRGWGNGCALFGKG Cowbone Ridge virus Jutiapa virus Sal Vieja virus San Perlita virus mosquito- Ilheus SEQ ID NO: 84 SEQ ID NO: 2 borne virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGIFNSIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG viruses Sepik SEQ ID NO: 19 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus TGEHSWDFGSTGGFFASVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Ntaya Bagaza SEQ ID NO: 20 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGFFTSLG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG group Tembusu SEQ ID NO: 83 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGVLTSIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Yokose SEQ ID NO: 21 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus IGDDAWDFGSTGGIFNTIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Rio Apoi SEQ ID NO: 22 SEQ ID NO: 2 Bravo virus SSAFWNSDEPFHFSNLISII DRGWGNGCGLFGKG virus Entebbe SEQ ID NO: 23 SEQ ID NO: 2 group Bat virus GDDAWDFGSTGGIFNTIGKA DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Rio Bravo SEQ ID NO: 24 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus SSAYWSSSEPFTSAGIMRIL DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Saboya SEQ ID NO: 18 virus DRGWGNGCALFGKG SEQ ID NO: 25 GSSSWDFSSAGGFFGSIGKA Seaborne Meaban SEQ ID NO: 26 tick- virus GDAAWDFGSVGGFMTSIGRA borne SEQ ID NO: 27 virus DRGWGNHCGLFGKG group Saumarez SEQ ID NO: 28 Reef GETAWDFGSAGG FFTSVGRG virus SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Tyuleniy SEQ ID NO: 29 virus GEAAWDFGSAGGFFQSVGRG SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Spondweni Zika SEQ ID NO: 30 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus virus LGDTAWDFGSVGGVFNSLGK DRGWGNGCGLFGKG group *************oo**o** Kyasanur SEQ ID NO: 31 forest VGEHAWDFGSVGGMLSSVG disease *************o***** virus SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Langat SEQ ID NO: 32 virus VLGEHAWDFGSVGGVMTSIG SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Louping SEQ ID NO: 33 ill IGEHAWDFGSAGGFFSSIG virus **********o***oo*o* SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Omsk SEQ ID NO: 34 hemorrhagic LGEHAWDFGSTGGFLSSIG fever virus SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Powassan SEQ ID NO: 35 virus VGEHAWDFGSVGGILSSVG *************o***** SEQ ID NO: 36 DRGWGNHCGFFGKG ************* Royal SEQ ID NO: 27 Farm DRGWGNHCGLFGKG virus Tick-borne SEQ ID NO: 37 encephalitis IGEHAWDFGSAGGFLSSIG virus SEQ ID NO: 38 IGEHAWDFGSTGGFLTSVG SEQ ID NO: 39 IGEHAWDFGSTGGFLASVG SEQ ID NO: 27 DRGWGNHCGLFGKG Yaounde SEQ ID NO: 40 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus LGDTAWDFGSIGGVFTSLG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Yellow Banzi SEQ ID NO: 41 SEQ ID NO: 2 fever virus VGSSSWDFSSTSGFFSSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG virus group Bouboui SEQ ID NO: 42 SEQ ID NO: 2 virus VGRSSWDFSSAGGFFSSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Edge Hill virus Uganda S virus Wesselsbron virus Yellow SEQ ID NO: 43 SEQ ID NO: 2 fever MGDTAWDFSSAGGFFTSVG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG virus ***o*************** unclassified Batu Cave SEQ ID NO: 44 SEQ ID NO: 2 Flavivirus virus NRGWGTGCFKWGIG DRGWGNGCGLFGKG Cacipacore SEQ ID NO: 45 virus NRGWGTGCFEWGLG Calbertado virus Cell fusing agent virus Chaoyang virus Chimeric Tick-borne encephalitis virus/Dengue virus 4 Culex theileri flavivirus Donggang virus Duck hemorrhagic ovaritis virus Flavivirus Aedes/MO-Ac/ ITA/2009 Flavivirus Anopheles/ PV-Am/ITA/2009 Flavivirus CbaAr4Q01 Flavivirus FSME Flavivirus Phlebotomine/ 76/Arrabida/ 2007 Gadgets Gully virus Greek goat encephalitis virus Jugra virus Kadam virus Kamiti River virus Kedougou virus Montana myotis leuko- encephalitis virus Mosquito flavivirus Ngoye virus Nounane virus Phlebotomus flavivirus Alg_F19 Phlebotomus flavivirus Alg_F8 Quang Binh virus Russian Spring- Summer encephalitis virus Sokoluk virus Spanish sheep encephalitis virus T’Ho virus Tai forest virus B31 Tamana bat virus Tick-borne flavivirus Wang Thong virus Flavivirus sp. Aedes SEQ ID NO: 45 flavivirus NRGWGTGCFEWGLG SEQ ID NO: 46 HVAGRYSKHGMAGIGSVWEDLVR Culex SEQ ID NO: 44 flavivirus NRGWGTGCFKWGIG SEQ ID NO: 47 VDKYRRFGTAGVGG Hepaci Hepatitis Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 3 E1/E2 virus C virus GLIHLHQNIVD VQYLYG virus genotype 1a SEQ ID NO: 175 PALSTGLIHLH Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 48 QNIVDVQ virus GLIHLHRNIVDVQYLYG genotype 1b SEQ ID NO: 176 PALSTGLIHLHRNIVDVQ Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 49 virus GLIH LHQNIVDVQYMYG genotype 2 SEQ ID NO: 175 PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDVQ Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 175 SEQ ID NO: 3 virus PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDVQ GLIHLHQNIVD genotype 3 VQYLYG Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 175 SEQ ID NO: 3 virus PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDVQ GLIHLHQNIVD genotype 4 VQYLYG Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 50 virus GLIHLHQNIVDTQYLYG genotype 5 SEQ ID NO: 177 PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDTQ Hepatitis C SEQ ID NO: 175 SEQ ID NO: 3 virus PALSTGLIHLHQNIVDVQ GLIHLHQNIVD genotype 6 VQYLYG All SEQ ID NO: 3 Hepatitis C GLIHLHQNIVD virus VQYLYG Pesti Border Border SEQ ID NO: 51 E1/E2 virus disease disease NTTLLNGSAFQLI virus virus- CPYGWVGRVEC Border SEQ ID NO: 52 disease SYFQQYMLKGQY virus- QYWFDLE X818 Border disease virus 1 Border disease virus 2 Border disease virus 3 Border disease virus isolates Bovine Bovine SEQ ID NO: 53 viral viral NTTLLNGPAFQMV diarrhea diarrhea CPLGWTGTVSC virus 1 virus 1-CP7 SEQ ID NO: 54 Bovine SYFQQYMLKGEYQ viral YWFDLE diarrhea virus 1-NADL Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1-Osloss Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1-SD1 Bovine viral diarrhea virus isolates and strains Bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1a Bovine viral diarrhea virus type lb Pestivirus isolate 97-360 Pestivirus isolate Hay 87/2210 Pestivirus strain mousedeer Pestivirus type 1 isolates Bovine Bovine SEQ ID NO: 55 viral viral SLLNGPAFQMVCP diarrhea diarrhea QGWTGTIEC virus 2 virus 2 SEQ ID NO: 56 (BVDV-2) Pestivirus sp. DRYFQQYMLKGK strain WQYWFDLD 178003 Pestivirus sp. strain 5250Giessen-3 Bovine viral diarrhea virus-2 isolate SCP Classical Classical SEQ ID NO: 57 swine swine TLLNGSAFYLVCP fever fever IGWTGVIEC virus virus SEQ ID NO: 58 Hog SYFQQYMLKGEYQ cholera YWFDLD virus strain Zoelen unclas- Bovine SEQ ID NO: 59 sified viral SEQ ID NO: 82 Pesti- diarrhea TLLNGPAFQLVCP virus virus 3 YGWTGTIEC SEQ ID NO: 60 DNYFQQYMLKGKY QYWFDLEATD Chamois SEQ ID NO: 61 pestivirus 1 TLLNGSAFQMVCP FGWTGQVEC SEQ ID NO: 62 DSYFQQYMLKGEY QYWFDLDAKD Porcine SEQ ID NO: 205 pestivirus TLLNGPAFQLVCPY isolate GWTGTIECDSYYQ Bungowannah SEQ ID NO: 206 QYIIKSGYQYWFDL TAKD unclas- Barkedji sified virus Flavi- Canine viridae hepacivirus AAK-2011 GB virus A Douroucouli hepatitis GB virus A GBV-A-like agents GB virus D GBV-C/HGV group GB virus C Hepatitis GB virus C-like virus Hepatitis GB virus B Lammi virus Marmoset hepatitis GB virus A Nakiwogo virus Turkey meningo- encephalitis virus Toga- Alpha- Aura virus SEQ ID NO: 63 E2/E1 viridae virus Barmah Forest GVYPFMWGGAYCFCDTENTQVS virus **********o****o**o*o* Middelburg virus SEQ ID NO: 64 Ndumu virus APFGCEIYTNPIRAENCAVGSIP Salmon pancreas *****o*ooo*o**oo*oo*oo* disease virus SEQ ID NO: 65 Getah virus SDFGGIATVKYSASKSGKCAVH Mayaro virus o***oooooo*ooooo*o*oo* Trocara virus SEQ ID NO: 66 EEEV complex FSTANIHPEFRLQICTSYVTCKGDCHPP WEEV Fort *oooooooo*oooo*ooooo*ooo*o** complex Morgan virus Highlands J virus Sindbis virus Western equine encephalomyelitis virus Whataroa virus VEEV Cabassou virus complex Mucambo virus Pixuna virus Venezuelan SEQ ID NO: 67 equine GVYPFMWGGAYCFCD encephalitis *************** virus SEQ ID NO: 68 GDCHPPKDHIVTHPQYHAQ ************Q**Q*Q* SEQ ID NO: 69 AVSKTAWTWLTS SFV Bebaru SEQ ID NO: 63 complex virus GVYPFMWGGAYCFCDTENTQVS O’nyong-nyong **********o****o**o*o* virus SEQ ID NO: 64 Ross River APFGCEIYTNPIRAENCAVGSIP virus *****o*ooo*o**oo*oo*oo* Semliki SEQ ID NO: 65 forest SDFGGIATVKYSASKSGKCAVH virus o***oooooo*ooooo*o*oo* Una SEQ ID NO: 66 virus FSTANIHPEFRLQICTSYVTCKGDCHPP *oooooooo*oooo*ooooo*ooo*o** Chikungunya SEQ ID NO: 67 virus GVYPFMWGGAYCFCD *************** SEQ ID NO: 70 VHCAAECHPPKDHIVNY SEQ ID NO: 71 PASHTTLGVQDISATAMSWV o****oo******o****** Rubi virus Rubella Rubella SEQ ID NO: 72 virus virus ACTFWAVNAYSSGGYAQLASYFNPGGSYYK Rubella ***o*o****o**oo****o**o******o virus SEQ ID NO: 73 (strain QYHPTACEVEPAFGHSDAACWGFPTDT BRD1) ***o*o*o*o****o********o*** Rubella SEQ ID NO: 74 virus MSVFALASYVQHPHKTVRVKFHT (strain ***oo*****o**o**o****** BRDII) SEQ ID NO: 159 Rubella ETRTVWQLSVAGVSC virus o*o*********oo* (strain SEQ ID NO: 76 Cendehill) NVTTEHPFCNMPHGQLEVQVPP Rubella o*o*o**oo*o*o****o*oo* virus SEQ ID NO: 77 (strain DPGDLVEYIMNYTGNQQSRW M33) ****o******o*o****** Rubella SEQ ID NO: 78 virus GSPNCHGPDWASPVCQRHSPDCS (strain ****o***o************** RN-UK86) SEQ ID NO: 79 Rubella RLVGATPERPRLRLV virus o***o**o**o**** (strain SEQ ID NO: 80 THERIEN) DADDPLLRTAPGP Rubella *oo********** virus SEQ ID NO: 81 (strain GEVWVTPVIGSQARKCGL TO-336 oo*o**o**o*****o** vaccine) SEQ ID NO: 86 Rubella HIRAGPYGHATVEM virus oo***********o (strain SEQ ID NO: 87 TO-336) PEWIHAHTTSDPWHP Rubella o**oooo*o***o*o virus SEQ ID NO: 88 (vaccine PGPLGLKFKTVRPVALPR strain ****o***o**o*oo*** RA27/3) SEQ ID NO: 89 ALAPPRNVRVTGCYQCGTPAL oooo**o*o*o**o******* SEQ ID NO: 90 and SEQ ID NO: 91 EGLAPGGGNCHLTVNGEDVG ***o*****o**oo*o*oo* SEQ ID NO: 207 LLNTPPPYQVSCGG ******o*o*o*** SEQ ID NO: 92 RASARVIDPAAQSFTGWYGTHT **o***oo*o************ SEQ ID NO: 93 TAVSETRQTWAEWAAAHWWQLTLG o*******ooo*****o******* Bunya- Hanta- Amur SEQ ID NO: 94 Gn(G2)/ viridae virus virus NPPDCPGVGTGCTACGVYLD Gc(G1) continued Bayou **o****o********o*** on virus SEQ ID NO: 95 next Black RKVCIQLGTEQTCKTIDSNDC page Creek *oo*o*o*o*oo**oo*o*** Canal SEQ ID NO: 96 DTLLFLGP virus LEEGGMIFKQWCTTTCQFGDPGDIM Cano SEQ ID NO: 97 Delgadito GSFRKKCSFATLPSCQYDGNTVSG virus *o***o*o***o*o*ooo**oo** Calabazo SEQ ID NO: 98 virus ATKDSFQSFNITEPH Catacamas **o****o**oooo* virus SEQ ID NO: 99 Choclo GSGVGFNLVCSVSLTEC virus ******o*o*ooo**** Dobrava- SEQ ID NO: 100 Belgrade KACDSAMCYGSSTANLVRGQNT virus ****o*o***ooooo*o**o** El Moro SEQ ID NO: 101 Canyon GKGGHSGSKFMCCHDKKCSATGLVAAAPHL virus ********O*o***ooo*ooo**o*oo*** Hantaan SEQ ID NO: 102 virus DDGAPQCGVHCWFKKSGEW Isla Vista ***o*o*ooo***oo**** virus Khabarovsk virus Laguna Negra virus Limestone Canyon virus Monongahela virus Muleshoe virus Muju virus New York virus Oran virus Playa de Oro virus Prospect Hill virus Puumaia virus Rio Mamore virus Rio Segundo virus Saaremaa virus Seoul virus Sin Nombre virus Soochong virus Thailand virus Thottapalayam virus Topografov virus Tula virus Ortho- Anopheles A SEQ ID NO: 103 Bunya- virus KHDELCTGPCPVNINHQTGWLT virus Anopheles B *o*o***o**oooooooo*o*o virus SEQ ID NO: 104 Bakau WGCEEFGCLAVSDGCVFGSCQD virus **o*oo**o*ooo**oo***** Batama SEQ ID NO: 10b virus GNGVPRFDYLCHLASRKEVIVRKC Bwamba *o*ooo*ooo*oooo*ooooo*o* virus SEQ ID NO: 106 Caraparu SCAGCINCFQNIHC virus *o**ooooooooo* Kaeng Khoi virus Kairi virus Madrid virus Main Drain virus Marituba virus Nyando virus Oriboca virus Oropouche virus Sathuperi virus Shamonda virus Shuni virus Simbu virus Tacaiuma virus Tete virus Turlock virus unclassified Orthobunyavirus Akabane Sabo virus virus Tinaroo virus Yaba-7 virus Bunyamwera Batai virus virus Birao virus Bozo virus Cache Valley virus Fort Sherman virus Germiston virus Guaroa virus Iaco virus Ilesha virus Lokern virus Maguari virus Mboke virus Ngari virus Northway virus Playas virus Potosi virus Shokwe virus Tensaw virus Tlacotalpan virus Xingu virus California California Encephalitis encephalitis virus serogroup virus LEIV California Encephalitis virus-BFS-283 Chatanga virus Inkoo virus Jamestown Canyon virus Jamestown Canyon-like virus Jerry Slough virus Keystone virus La Crosse virus Lumbo virus Melao virus Morro Bay virus San Angelo virus Serra do Navio virus Snowshoe hare virus South River virus Tahyna virus Trivittatus virus Caraparu Apeu virus virus Bruconha virus Ossa virus Vinces virus Manzanilla Buttonwillow virus virus Ingwavuma virus Mermet virus Marituba Gumbo Limbo virus virus Murutucu virus Nepuyo virus Restan virus Wyeomyia Anhembi virus virus BeAr328208 virus Macaua virus Sororoca virus Taiassui virus Phlebo- Bujaru virus virus Candiruvirus Chiiibre virus Frijoles virus Punta TorLSalehabad virus Sandflyfever Naples virus Uukuniemi viruso virus Rift SEQ ID NO: 107 Valley KTVSSELSCREGQSYWT fever **oo**oo*o**o*o** virus SEQ ID NO: 108 GSFSPKCLSSRRC *******oooooo SEQ ID NO: 109 ENKCFEQCGGWGCGCFNVNPSCLFVHT **o*o**o*oo*oo***ooo***o**o SEQ ID NO: 110 WGSVSLSLDAEGISGSNSFSF **ooo*o**o*o*o*o*oo** SEQ ID NO: 111 RQGFLGEIRCNSE *o** ** *o**oo* SEQ ID NO: 112 AHESCLRAPNLVSYKPMIDQLEC *oo**oo**oooo*o*oo*ooo* SEQ ID NO: 113 DPFWFERGSLPQTR **ooo*oo*o***o* SEQ ID NO: 114 QAFSKGSVQADLTLMFD **ooo*ooo*oooooo* SEQ ID NO: 115 CDAAFLNLTGCYSCNAG *o*o*o*oo*****oo* SEQ ID NO: 116 CQILHFTVPEVEEEFMYSC *ooo*ooo*ooooooo*o* SEQ ID NO: 117 STVVNPKSGSWN *o*o**oooooo SEQ ID NO: 118 FFDWFSGLMSWFGGPLK *o***oo*o**oooooo unclas- Anhanga sified virus Phlebo- Arumowot virus virus (cont- Chagres virus tin- Corfou virus ued Gabek Forest on virus next Itaporanga virus page) Phlebovirus Adria/ALBl/2005 Phlebovirus Adria/ALB5/2005 Phlebovirus AH12 Phlebovirus AH12/China/2010 Phlebovirus AH15/China/2010 Phlebovirus B105-05 Phlebovirus B151-04 Phlebovirus B43-02 Phlebovirus B68-03 Phlebovirus B79-02 Phlebovirus Chios-A Phlebovirus Cyprus Phlebovirus HB29/China/2010 Phlebovirus HN13/China/2010 Phlebovirus HN6/China/2010 Phlebovirus Hu/Xinyang1/ China/2010 Phlebovirus Hu/Xinyang2/ China/2010 Phlebovirus IB13-04 Phlebovirus JS2007-01 Phlebovirus JS24 Phlebovirus JS26 Phlebovirus JS3/China/2010 Phlebovirus JS4/China/2010 Phlebovirus JS6 Phlebovirus JSD1 Phlebovirus LN2/China/2010 Phlebovirus LN3/China/2010 Influenza Influenza Phlebovirus virus A A virus sandflies/ Gr29/ Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr36/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr44/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr49/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr52/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr65/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus sandflies/ Gr98/Spain/ 2004 Phlebovirus SD24/China/ 2010 Phlebovirus SD4/China/2010 Phlebovirus tick/ XCQ-2011 Phlebovirus XLL/China/ 2009 Rio Grande virus Salobo virus Sandfly fever Sicilian virus Sandfly Sicilian Turkey virus Utique Virus Phlebovirus sp. Phlebovirus sp. Be An 24262 Phlebovirus sp. Be An 356637 Phlebovirus sp. Be An 416992 Phlebovirus sp. Be An 578142 Phlebovirus sp. Be Ar 371637 Phlebovirus sp. Co Ar 170255 Phlebovirus sp. Co Ar 171616 Phlebovirus sp. GML 902878 Phlebovirus sp. Pa Ar 2381 Phlebovirus sp. PAN 479603 Phlebovirus sp. PAN 483391 Phlebovirus sp. VP-161A Phlebovirus sp. VP-334K Phlebovirus sp. VP-366G Orthyo- Influenza Influenza INFA H1 SEQ ID NO: 119 INF F# HA Group 2 myxo virus A A virus GLFGAIAGFIEGGWTG DELTAA6: HA1/HA2 Type 1 viridae SEQ ID NO: 178 SEQ ID fusion WTYNAELLVLLENERTLD NO: 201 mechanism SEQ ID NO: 179 GLFGAAGF NAELLVLLENERTLDYHD IENGWEG INFA H2 SEQ ID NO: 120 INFAH1-3: GLFGAIAGFIEGGWQG SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 180 NO: 203 WTYNAE LLVLMENE RT LD SEQ ID NO: 181 NAELLVLMENERTLDYHD INFA H3 SEQ ID NO: 121 SEQ ID NO: 4 GIFGAIAGFIENGWEG GLFGAIAGFIENGWEG SEQ ID NO: 182 WSYNAELLVALENQHTID SEQ ID NO: 183 NAELLVALENQHTIDLTD INFA H4 SEQ ID NO: 122 GLFGAIAGFIENGWQG SEQ ID NO: 182 WSYNAELLVALENQHTID SEQ ID NO: 184 NAELLVALENQHTIDVTD INFA H5 SEQ ID NO: 120 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWQG SEQ ID NO: 180 WTYNAELLVLMENERTLD SEQ ID NO: 185 NAELLVLMENERTLDFHD INFA H6 SEQ ID NO: 123 GIFGAIAGFIEGGWTG SEQ ID NO: 119 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWTG SEQ ID NO: 178 WTYNAELLVLLENERTLD SEQ ID NO: 186 NAELLVLLENERTLDMHD INFA H7 SEQ ID NO: 187 SEQ ID NO: 4 WSYNAELLVAMENQHTID GLFGAIAGFIENGWEG SEQ ID NO: 208 WSYNAELLVAMENQHLAD INFA H8 SEQ ID NO: 124 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWSG SEQ ID NO: 189 WAYNAELLVLLENQKTLD SEQ ID NO: 190 NAELLVLLENQKTLDEHD INFA H9 SEQ ID NO: 125 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWPG SEQ ID NO: 124 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWSG SEQ ID NO: 189 WAYNAELLVLLENQKTLD SEQ ID NO: 190 NAELLVLLENQKTLDEHD INFA H10 SEQ ID NO: 191 SEQ ID NO: 4 WTYQAELLVAMENQHTID GLFGAIAGFIENGWEG SEQ ID NO: 192 QAELLVAMENQHTIDMAD INFA H11 SEQ ID NO: 125 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWPG SEQ ID NO: 193 WSYNAQLLVLLENEKTLD SEQ ID NO: 194 NAQLLVLLENEKTLDLHD INFA H12 SEQ ID NO: 125 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWPG SEQ ID NO: 189 WAYNAELLVLLENQKTLD SEQ ID NO: 190 NAELLVLLENQKTLDEHD INFA H13 SEQ ID NO: 125 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWPG SEQ ID NO: 195 WSYNAKLLVLLENDKTLD SEQ ID NO: 196 NAKLLVLLENDKTLDMHD INFA H14 SEQ ID NO: 122 GLFGAIAGFIENGWQG SEQ ID NO: 182 WSYNAELLVALENQHTID SEQ ID NO: 184 NAELLVALENQHTIDVTD INFA H15 SEQ ID NO: 187 SEQ ID NO: 4 WSYNAELLVAMENQHTID GLFGAIAGFIENGWEG SEQ ID NO: 188 NAELLVAMENQHTIDLAD INFA H16 SEQ ID NO: 125 GLFGAIAGFIEGGWPG SEQ ID NO: 197 WSYNAKLLVLIENDRTLD SEQ ID NO: 198 NAKLLVLIENDRTLDLHD Influenza Influenza All SEQ ID NO: 126 Virus B B Virus strains GFFGAIAGFLEGGWEG SEQ ID NO: 199 ISSQIELAVLLSNEGIIN SEQ ID NO: 200 QIELAVLLSNEGIINSED Influenza Influenza Virus c C Virus Paramyxo Paramyxo Avulavirus Avian paramyxovirus 2 SEQ ID NO: 127 F0 viridae virinae Yucaipa virus GAIALGVATAAAVTAG (F2/F1) Avian paramyxovirus 3 oooo*o*oo*o*oo** Avian paramyxovirus 3b Avian paramyxovirus 4 Avian paramyxovirus 5 Avian paramyxovirus 6 Avian paramyxovirus 7 Avian paramyxovirus 8 Avian paramyxovirus 9 Newcastle disease virus Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 unclassified Avulavirus Avian paramyxovirus 10 Avian Paramyxovirus duck/Miyagi/ 885/05 Avian paramyxovirus penguin/Falkland Islands,/ 324/2007 Goosramyxovirus HZ Goose paramyxovirus JS/l/97/Go Goose paramyxovirus SF02 Henipa- Hendra virus virus Hendra virus horse/Australia/ Hendra/1994 Nipah virus Unclassified Henipavirus Bat paramyxovirus Eid.he1/GH45/2008 Morbilli Canine distemper virus virus Cetacean Morbillivirus Dolphin Morbillivirus Pilot whale morbillivirus Porpoise morbillivirus Measles virus Peste-des-petits- ruminants virus Phocine distemper virus Phocine distemper virus 1 Phocine distemper virus-2 Rinderpest virus Respiro Bovine virus parainfluenza virus 3 Porcine paramyxovirus strain Frost Porcine paramyxovirus strain Texas Human parainfluenza virus 1 Human parainfluenza virus 3 Simian Agent 10 Sendai virus unclassified Respirovirus Atlantic salmon respirovirus Guinea pig parainfluenza virus TS-9 Pacific salmon paramyxovirus Trask River 1983 Swine parainfluenza virus 3 Tursiops Truncatus parainfluenza virus 1 Rubila Human virus parainfluenza virus 2 Human parainfluenza virus 2 Greer) Human Parainfluenza virus 2 Toshiba) Human Parainfluenza virus 4 Human parainfluenza virus 4a Human parainfluenza virus 4b Mapuera virus Mumps virus Parainfluenza virus 5 Porcine rubulavirus Simian virus 41 unclassified Rubulavirus Porcine para influenza virus Tuhoko virus 1 Tuhoko virus 2 Tuhoko virus 3 unclas- Atlantic sified Salmon Paramyxo paramyxovirus Virinae Beilong virus Canine Parainfluenza virus Chimeric human parainfluenza virus rPIV3-2 Fer-de-lance virus J-virus Menangle virus Mossman virus Murayama virus Ovine parainfluenza virus 3 Pacific salmon paramyxovirus Paramyxovirus GonoGER85 Recombinant PIV3/PIV1 virus Reptilian paramyxovirus Salem virus Salmo salar paramyxovirus Snake ATCC-VR-1408 paramyxovirus Snake ATCC-VR-1409 paramyxovirus Tioman virus Tupaia paramyxovirus Pneumo Human Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 128 Group3 virus respira- syncytial virus A FLGLILGLGAAVTAGVA Type I ratory Human respiratory ***oo**o*o*ooo*o* fusion syncytial syncytial virus SEQ ID NO: 129 mehanism virus (strain RSB1734) TNEAWSLTNGMSVL Human respiratory **o****o**o*** syncytial virus SEQ ID NO: 130 (strain RSB5857) VIRFQQLNKRLLE Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 131 syncytial virus REFSSNAGLT (strain RSB6190) ****o***o* Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 132 syncytial virus MLTDRELTSIVGGM (strain RSB6256) ***oo**o*oooo* Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 133 syncytial virus YVIQLPLFGVMDTDCW (strain RSB642) *oo***oo**o**o** Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 134 syncytial virus CLARADNGWYCHNAGSLSYFP (strain RSB6614) **ooo*o**o*o****o*o** Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 135 syncytial virus A DTLKSLTVPVTSRECN strain Long LinkOut **oo***o*ooooo** Human respiratory SEQ ID NO: 136 syncytial virus A2 YDCKISTSKTYVSTAVLTTMG Human respiratory *o*o*o** *ooo*oo*o*oo* syncytial virus B SEQ ID NO: 137 Human respiratory VSCYGHNSCTVIN syncytial *****ooo**oo* virus (subgroup B/ SEQ ID NO: 209 strain 18537) GIIRTLPDGCHYISNKGVD Human respiratory ***o*ooo**o*o**o*o* syncytial virus RVQVGNTVYYLSKEVGK (subgroup B/ o*o****o**oo*oo** strain 8/60) SEQ ID NO: 139 Human Respiratory PLSFPDDKFDVAIRDVEHS syncytial virus **o**o*o*ooo*oo*ooo 9320 INQTRTFLKASDQLL Human respiratory ***ooo*ooo**o** syncytial virus SEQ ID NO: 140 B1 KIMTSKTDISSSVITSIGAIVSCYG Human respiratory o*o***ooo*oo*o*oo*oo***** syncytial virus S2 Human respiratory syncytial virus strain RSS-2 unclassified Human respiratory syncytial virus Bovine All strains Group 3 respiratory Type syncytial virus Metaneumo Avian All SEQ ID NO: 128 virus metapneumo- strains FLGLILGLGAAVTAGVA virus ***oo**o*o*ooo*o* Human All SEQ ID NO: 134 metapneumo- strains CLARADNGWYCHNAGSLSYFP virus **ooo*o**o*o****o*o** SEQ ID NO: 133 YVIQLPLFGVMDTDCW *oo***oo**o**o** Corona- Corona- Alpha- Alpha- SEQ ID NO: 128 viridae virinae corona- coronavirus 1 FLGLILGLGAAVTAGVA virus Coronavirus group 1b ***oo**o*o*ooo*o* Human coronavirus SEQ ID NO: 134 229E CLARADNGWYCHNAGSLSYFP Human coronavirus **ooo*o**o*o****o*o** NL63 SEQ ID NO: 133 Miniopterus YVIQLPLFGVMDTDCW bat *oo***oo**o**o** coronavirus 1 Miniopterus oat coronavirus HKU8 Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus Rhinolophus bat coronavirus HKU2 Scotophilus bat coronavirus 512 unclassified Aipha- coronavirus Beta- Beta- SEQ ID NO: 141 S Group 3 corona- coronavirus 1 RSAIEDLLFDKVKLSDVG (S1/ Type 1 virus Coronavirus group 2b **oo****oo**ooo*o* S2) fusion Coronavirus group 2c SEQ ID NO: 142 mehanism Human coronavirus IllCUi VPFYLNVQYRINGLGVT Murine coronavirus o**ooooo**o**o*** Pipistrellus oat SEQ ID NO: 143 coronavirus HKU5 VLSQNQKLIANAFNNALHAIQ Rousettus **oo***o*ooo*oo*ooo** oat coronavirus HKU9 SEQ ID NO: 144 Severe acute TNSALVKIQAWNANA respiratory syndrome- *oo**o*o*o***oo* related coronavirus SEQ ID NO: 145 recombinan AEAQIDRLINGRLTALNAYVSQQL SARSr-CoV ************************ SARS coronavirus SEQ ID NO: 146 Tylonycteris bat SAAQAMEKVNECVKSQSSRINFCGNGNHIIS coronavirus HKU4 o*oo*oo*oo***oo*oo*oo***o*o*oo* unclassified Beta- SEQ ID NO: 147 coronavirus APYGLYFIHFNYVP **o*oo*o*oo*o* SEQ ID NO: 148 LQEAIKVLNHSYINLKDIGTYEYYVKWPWYVW oo*oo*o**o*ooo*ooo*oo*o*o*****o* Gamma- Avian coronavirus corona- Beluga virus Whale coronavirus SW1 unclas- Alpaca sified coronavirus corona- CA08-1/2008 viruses Bat coronavirus Bird droppings coronavirus Bovine respiratory coronavirus Chicken enteric coronavirus Coronavirus Anas Coronavirus oystercatcher/ pl7/2006/GBR Coronavirus red knot/ p60/2006/GBR Ferret enteric coronavirus 1202 Ferret systemic coronavirus MSU-S Ferret systemic coronavirus WADL Guangxi coronaviridae Human coronavirus NO Human Enteric Coronavirus strain 4408 Kenya bat coronavirus Mink coronavirus strain WD1133 Parrot c oronavirus AV71/99 Quail Coronavirus Italy/Elvia/ 2005 Tai Forest coronavirus unidentified coronavirus unidentified human coronavirus Arena- Arena- LCMV-Lassa Ippy virus SEQ ID NO: 149 GpC Group 3 viridae virus virus Lassa virus NALINDQLIMKNHLRDIMGIPYC Gp1/ Type 1 (Old Lujo virus *o**o***o*o***o*o**o*** Gp2 fusion World) Lymphocytic SEQ ID NO: 150 mehanism complex Choriomeningitis FTWTLSDSEGKDTPGGYCLT virus oo*ooo*oo*ooo***o**o Mobala virus SEQ ID NO: 151 Mopeia virus KCFGNTAIAKCNQKHDEEFCDMLRLFDFN ***o*ooo****oo*oo****ooo*ooo* SEQ ID NO: 152 MLQKEYMERQGKTPLGLVDLFVFS *ooo*oo**oo**oo*o*oooo*o Tacaribe Amapari virus SEQ ID NO: 150 virus Chapare virus FTWTLSDSEGKDTPGGYCLT (New Flexal virus oo*ooo*oo*ooo***o**o World) Guanarito virus SEQ ID NO: 151 complex Junin virus KCFGNTAIAKCNQKHDEEFCDMLRLFDFN Latino virus ***o*ooo****oo*oo****ooo*ooo* Machupo virus SEQ ID NO: 152 Oliveros virus MLQKEYMERQGKTPLGLVDLFVFS Parana virus *ooo*oo**oo**oo*o*oooo*o Pichinde virus Pirital virus Sabiei virus Tacaribe virus Tamiami virus Whitewater Arroyo virus Hepatitis B HBV SEQ ID NO: 153 L Group 3 virus genotype FNPLGFFPSHQLDPLF and Type 1 A o***o*o*o*o*o*o* M fusion HBV SEQ ID NO: 154 and S mecha- Genotype ADWDKNPNKDPWP Where nism B o*o*o*oo*oooo S Nei- HBV SEQ ID NO: 155 medi- ther Genotype MESITSGFLGPLLVLQAVFF ates type I C oooooooo*ooooo**oooo fu- nor HBV SEQ ID NO: 156 sion type Genotype LLTRILTIPQSLDSWWTSLNFLGGA II D oooooo*oooo*oooo** *o*o*oo HBV SEQ ID NO: 157 Genotype CPPTCPGYRWMC E oo*o** ** *o*o HBV SEQ ID NO: 158 Genotype LFILLLCLIFLLVLLDYQ F *oo*ooo*oo*oo*oooo HBV Genotype G HBV Genotype H Hepatitis B virus alphal Hepatitis B virus LSH/ chimpanzee Hepatitis B virus strain cpz Hepatitis B virus Subtype adr Hepatitis B virus Subtype adw Hepatitis B virus subtype adyw Hepatitis B virus subtype ayw Glyco Group 3 pro- tein G Rhabdo- Dima- Eohemero Bovine SEQ ID NO: 160 Neither virdae rhabdo- virus ephemeral LDGYLCRKQKWEVTCTETWYFVTD type I virus fever *o*oo****o*ooo*o*****o*o nor virus SEQ ID NO: 161 Type KYQIIEVIPTENEC II o***o**o*oooo* fusion SEQ ID NO: 162 mecha- LKGEYIPPYYPPTNCVWNAIDTQE nism oo*oo*******oo*o**oooo** SEQ ID NO: 163 IEDPVTMTLMDSKFTKPC ooo*oooooo**o*oo** SEQ ID NO: 164 LHCQIKSWECIPV o**oo*o****o* SEQ ID NO: 165 SHRNMMEALYLESPD *oo*oo*o*oo*o* * SEQ ID NO: 166 LTFCGYNGILLDNGEWWSIY o****oo**oooo****** SEQ ID NO: 167 ELEHEKCLGTLEKLQNGE ******o**o*oo*oo*o* SEQ ID NO: 168 LDLSYLSPSNPGKHYAY **o***o*oo**oo*** SEQ ID NO: 169 IRAVCYYHTFSMNLD O**o*o*oo*oooo* Vesiculo- Carajas SEQ ID NO: 170 virus virus EWKTTCDYRWYGPQYITHSI Chandipura o*o****o*****o*o*o* virus SEQ ID NO: 171 Cocal LGFPPQSCGWASVTT virus o****oo**oooooo Isfahan SEQ ID NO: 1 virus VQVTPHHVLVDEYTGEWVDSQFINGKC Maraba ooooo*o*oooo*o*o*o*oooooooo virus Piry virus recombinant Vesiculovirus Spring viraemia of carp virus Vesicular stomatitis Alagoas virus Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus Lyssa- Aravan virus virus Australian bat lyssavirus Duvenhage virus European bat lyssavirus 1 European bat lyssavirus 2 Irkut virus Khujand virus Lagos bat virus Mokola virus West C aucasian bat virus Rabies Rabies SEQ ID NO: 5 virus virus GFTCTGWTEAETYTNFVGYVT AB21 *o****o* *o*oo*oooo*** Rabies SEQ ID NO: 6 virus SLHNPYPDYRWLRTVKTT AB22 *ooooooooooo***o* Rabies SEQ ID NO: 21o virus ESLVIISPSVADLDPYDRSLHS AVO1 *ooo***oooo*o**ooo Rabies SEQ ID NO: 211 virus CKLKLCGVLGLRLMDGT BNG4 *ooo****oooo*ooo* Rabies SEQ ID NO: 212 virus ILGPDGNVLIPEMQSS BNG5 o**o*ooo*******o Rabies SEQ ID NO: 213 virus QHMELLESSVIPLVHPL China/DRV *ooo**o*ooo**oo** Rabies virus China/MRV Rabies virus CVS-11 Rabies virus ERA Rabies virus Eth2003 Rabies virus HEP-FLURY Rabies virus India Rabies virus Nishigahara RCEH Rabies virus Ontario fox Rabies virus Ontario skunk Rabies virus PM Rabies virus red fox/08RS- 1981/ Udine/2008 Rabies virus SAD B19 Rabies virus silver- haired bat- associated SHBRV Rabies virus strain Pasteur vaccin Rabies virus strain Street Rabies virus vnukovo-32 Thailand genotype 1 dog lyssavirus unclas- Bokeloh sified bat Lyssavirus lyssavirus European bat lyssavirus Lyssavirus Ozernoe Shimoni bat virus Novi- Hirame rhabdo- rhabdovirus virus Infectious hemato- poietic necrosis virus Snakehead rhabdovirus Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus unclas- Bangoran sified virus Rhabdo- Bimbo viridae virus Bivens Arm virus Flanders virus Garba virus Klamath virus Malpais Spring virus Nasoule virus Ngaingan virus Ouango virus Sigma virus Tupaia virus Wongabel virus

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for identifying an immunosuppressive domain in the fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus having a lipid membrane, said method comprising:

-   -   a. Identifying at least one well conserved domain among the         group consisting of the membrane associated domains of the         fusion protein and the surface associated domains of the fusion         protein;     -   b. Providing at least one peptide with the sequence of said         identified at least one well conserved domain;     -   c. Optionally dimerizing or multimerizing said at least one         peptide; and     -   d. Confirming the immunosuppressive activity of said at least         one optionally dimerized or multimerized peptide by testing said         at least one optionally dimerized or multimerized peptide for         immunosuppressive activity.

The at least one well conserved domain may be identified among domains, which are membrane associated and domains, which are surface associated. Naturally, a domain which is both membrane and surface associated may be a well conserved domain.

The fusion protein may be identified by searching NCBI taxonomy (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/), and selecting proteins of the Family, Subfamily, Genus or Species to be investigated, and subsequently search these for fusion or the specific name of the fusion protein, e.g. as listed in Table 1.

The dimerized peptide could be synthetic, the multimerized peptide could be displayed as dimerized or trimerized fusion proteins either displayed alone or on membranes such as a viral particle.

One way of testing the immunosuppressive activity of the at least one dimerized or multimerized peptide is to test the immunosuppressive activity of the fusion protein in the absence and presence of the at least one dimerized or multimerized peptide, and comparing the results.

According to other embodiments, the invention concerns the method, wherein the identification of said at least one well conserved domain is done among the group consisting of the surface associated domains of the fusion protein in one or more of the different conformations of the fusion protein undergoing fusion.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method, wherein the enveloped RNA virus is not selected among Retroviruses, Lentiviruses or Filoviruses. In particular, according to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method, wherein said at least one well conserved immunosuppressive domain is not located in the linker between the two heptad repeat structures just N-terminal of the transmembrane domain in the fusion protein of either Retrovirus, Lentivirus or Filovirus. More particularly, according to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method, wherein said at least one well conserved domain does not include some of the 22 amino acids located N-terminal to the first of two well conserved cysteine residues that are found in these structures in the fusion protein of either Retrovirus, Lentivirus or Filovirus. These cysteine residues are between 4 and 6 amino acid residues from one another and in many cases are believed to form disulfide bridges that stabilize the fusion proteins.

According to other embodiments, the invention concerns the method, wherein said at least one well conserved domain is selected among the group consisting of Putative ISUs and Identified ISUs of Table 1 and Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain identified according to the invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain selected among the sequences of Table 1 and Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for decreasing or completely abrogating the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein of an enveloped RNA virus having a lipid membrane, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   e. Mutating an immunosuppressive domain to provide at least one         mutated peptide;     -   f. Optionally dimerizing or multimerizing said at least one         mutated peptide;     -   g. Selecting one of said optionally dimerized or multimerized         mutated peptides showing reduced immunosuppressive properties;     -   h. Mutating the fusion protein of the enveloped RNA virus to         contain said selected mutated peptide having reduced         immunosuppressive properties;     -   i. Confirming expression by testing the viral envelope protein         encompassing said mutated fusion protein for capability of being         expressed by at least one of cellular or viral surfaces.

The envelope protein may be identified by searching NCBI taxonomy (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/) and selecting proteins of the Family, Subfamily, Genus or Species to be investigated and subsequently searching these for envelope or the specific name for the envelope protein or the attachment and fusion protein, e.g. as listed in Table 1.

According to other embodiments, the invention concerns the method, wherein:

-   -   e. Said immunosuppressive domain is mutated to provide a         plurality of mutated peptides;     -   f. Said plurality of mutated peptides are optionally dimerized         or multimerized;     -   g. One of said optionally dimerized or multimerized mutated         peptides showing reduced immunosuppressive properties is         selected;     -   h. The fusion protein of the enveloped RNA virus is mutated to         contain said selected optionally dimerized or multimerized         peptide having reduced immunosuppressive properties;     -   i. Expression is confirmed by testing the viral envelope protein         encompassing said mutated fusion protein for capability of being         expressed by at least one of cellular or viral surfaces.

According to other embodiments, the invention concerns the method, wherein:

-   -   g. One of said optionally dimerized or multimerized mutated         peptide(s) is selected, which has reduced immunosuppressive         properties as shown by at least 25% reduction as compared to a         dimerized Wildtype peptide.

According to other embodiments, the invention concerns the method, wherein:

-   -   e. Said mutated immunosuppressive domain is mutated to provide a         knock-out mutant of Table 1 or selected among the sequences of         Seq. Id. 201-203.

According to an embodiment, a proven knock-out (i.e. a mutation of the immunosuppressive domain abrogating the immunosuppressive properties of the peptide) from one family, genus, group and/or strain, may be used for another family, genus, group and/or strain.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a mutated peptide providing reduced immunosuppressive properties, said mutated peptide having a sequence according to Table 1 or any of Seq. Id.-202 to 203 or obtainable as said selected mutated peptide of a method according to the invention.

Preliminary experiments indicate the immunosuppressive domains may have a size of 4-30 amino acids.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for generating an enhanced immune response, comprising a method according to the invention, and further comprising the step of:

-   -   j. Using said viral envelope protein encompassing said mutated         fusion protein with reduced immunosuppressive properties as an         antigen for generation of an enhanced immune response.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for making an envelope protein having diminished immunosuppressive activity, comprising:

-   -   Mutating or modifying an immunosuppressive domain, identifiable         according to the invention, of an enveloped RNA virus with a         lipid membrane surrounding the core, to include a peptide         obtainable according to the invention.

The diminished immunosuppressive activity is suitably measured by comparing to the immunosuppressive activity from an envelope of a wildtype peptide. It is preferably demonstrated by an increased proliferation of at least 25% in a cell proliferation assay of homodimers of said mutated peptide as compared to the homodimers of said non-mutated wildtype peptide at the same concentration. More preferably the cell assay is either the CTLL-2 or the PBMC assay.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the method, for making a envelope protein encompassing a mutated fusion protein from a enveloped RNA virus for medical use, such as therapeutic or prophylactic purpose, preferably for use as a vaccine.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the method, for making an enveloped protein encompassing a mutated fusion protein from an envelope RNA virus for vaccination purposes or for the generation of neutralizing antibodies.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the method, wherein the enveloped RNA virus has a fusion protein with a type II fusion mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the method, wherein the enveloped RNA virus, preferably excluding lentivius, retrovirus and filovirus, has a fusion protein with a type I fusion mechanism and where the immunosuppressive domains co-localizes with the fusion peptide in the fusion protein, preferably as demonstrated by the identification of a common immunosuppressive domain in the fusion peptide of all H1 to H16 of Influenza A and influenza B.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the method, wherein the enveloped RNA virus, preferably excluding lentivius, retrovirus and filovirus, has a fusion protein with a type I fusion mechanism excluding viruses with a type I fusion mechanism where the ISU co-localizes with the fusion peptide or the fusion protein has a structure that is neither a type I nor a type II fusion structure.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an envelope protein obtainable according to the invention.

The immunosuppressive domain has so far been identified by the inventors at two positions in two different groups of viruses A: Co-localizing with the fusion peptide exemplified by the identification of an common immunosuppressive domain in the fusion peptide of all Flavirus (Dengue virus, west Nile virus etc) and Influenza A and B viruses and B: in the hydrophobic alpha helix N-terminal of the transmembrane domain in the fusion protein exemplified by the finding of an immunosuppressive domain in said helixes of Flaviridae like e.g. Hepatitis C virus, Dengue, WestNile, Yellow fever.

The inventors have realized that the potential immunosuppressive domains are located at various positions in the fusion protein identifiable by

-   -   1): The peptide is preferably located in the fusion protein of         enveloped RNA viruses;     -   2): The peptide is preferably capable of interacting with         membranes;     -   3): Preferably a high degree of homology in the primary         structure (sequence) of the peptide of said domain exists either         within the viral species itself, in the family of viruses or in         a group of viruses. This requirement is due to the         immunosuppressive domain being under a dual selection pressures,         one as an immunosuppressive entity ensuring protection of the         viral particle from the host immune system, another as a peptide         interacting with membranes; and/or     -   4): The position at the surface of the fusion protein at a given         conformation is preferably a feature of immunosuppressive         domains. This can be revealed either by position in a 3D         structure or by antibody staining of cells expressing the fusion         protein or on viral surfaces displaying the fusion protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a mutated envelope protein according to the invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a viral fusion protein from an enveloped RNA virus with reduced immunosuppressive properties, said fusion protein encompassing a mutated peptide, said mutated peptide displaying reduced immunosuppression, and said mutated peptide replacing an un-mutated wildtype peptide having a sequence of an ISU of Table 1 or is selected among Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, where the reduced immunosuppression is identified by comparing to the un-mutated wildtype peptide when said peptide is dimerized.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, wherein said immunosuppressive activity being determined by at least 25% reduction, more preferred at least 40% reduction, in proliferation rate in a cell proliferation assay using a homodimer of said un-mutated peptide compared to the monomeric version of said peptide at the same concentration.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, wherein said cell proliferation assay is selected among the group consisting of the CTLL-2 and the PBMC assay.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, wherein said fusion protein has a type I or type II fusion mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, wherein said fusion protein has neither a type I nor type II fusion mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the fusion protein, wherein said mutated peptide is located either in the fusion peptide or in a, preferably amphipatic, helix upstream of the C-terminal transmembrane domain of said fusion protein.

The fusion peptide is a small membrane penetrating peptide located in the fusion protein of enveloped viruses.

According to another embodiment, the invention concerns the viral fusion protein, wherein said mutated peptide is derived from the fusion peptide from a flavivirus or Influenzavirus or from the amphipatic helix of the Flaviridae, such as the group consisting of Hepatitis C virus fusion protein, Dengue virus fusion protein, and WestNile virus fusion protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an envelope protein, said mutated fusion protein being displayed on the surface of cells wherein said mutated fusion protein is expressed.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the envelope protein, said mutated fusion protein being displayed on the surface of viral or viral like particles.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the envelope protein, having retained some fusiogenic activity.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the envelope protein, wherein the fusiogenic activity is measured by a technique for measuring cell-cell fusion, preferably selected among the group consisting of counting syncytia by light microscopy, resonance energy transfer based assays, and indirect reporter gene using techniques or by measuring infectious titers; alternatively, or in addition, the presence of fusiogenic activity may be indicated by the presence of at least one cell expressing the modified envelope and one cell expressing the receptor and/or coreceptors being fused together.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an enveloped RNA virus, different from a virus selected among the group consisting of Retrovirus, Lentivirus and Filovirus, wherein an immunosuppressive domain has been modified or mutated to decrease or completely abrogate the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a virus selected among the vira of Table 1, wherein an immunosuppressive domain has been modified or mutated to decrease or completely abrogate the immunosuppressive properties of an immunosuppressive domain of the fusion protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antigen obtainable by selecting a part of a mutated envelope protein according to any of the preceding claims, said part comprising the mutated domain of said envelope protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antigen comprising an mutated immunosuppressive domain selected among the sequences of Table 1 and Seq. Id. 201 to 202.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antigen of the invention furthermore harboring 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 point mutation(s) in any of the sequences of Table 1 or of Seq. Id. 1-200.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antigen, which mediates fusion of virus to host cells.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antigen, which is recombinant or obtained by recombinant technology.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a nucleic acid sequence, preferably recombinant, encoding a mutated envelope protein, an envelope polypeptide or an antigen according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an isolated eukaryotic expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence according to the invention.

According to another embodiment, the invention concerns the vector, which is a virus vector, preferably a virus selected among the group consisting of vaccinia virus, measles virus, retroviridae, lentivirus, baculovirus and adeno virus.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for producing an antibody, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   Administering an entity selected among a mutated envelope, an         envelope polypeptide, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence or a         vector according to any of the preceding claims to a host, such         as an animal; and     -   Obtaining the antibody from said host.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an antibody obtainable according to a method of the invention.

According to another embodiment, the invention concerns an antibody, which is specific for an entity selected among a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence or a vector according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns neutralizing antibodies obtained or identified by the use of at least one envelope protein according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing neutralizing antibodies comprising the use of at least one protein according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing humanized neutralizing antibodies, comprising the use of at least one sequence selected among the sequences of Table 1 and sequences 201 to 203

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a vaccine comprising a virus according to the invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a vaccine comprising an envelope protein from a virus according to the invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a vaccine composition comprising an envelope protein according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a vaccine composition comprising a virus like particle (VLP).

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, wherein the virus like particle is produced ex vivo in a cell culture.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, wherein the virus like particle is partly or completely assembled ex vivo.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, wherein the virus like particle is generated in vivo in the patient by infection, transfection and/or electroporation by expression vectors.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising a vector derived from a measles or vaccinia virus.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising an expression vector for DNA vaccination.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising a purified envelope protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising a multimerized purified envelope protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising a dimerized purified envelope protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, comprising a trimerized purified envelope protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a vaccine composition comprising an entity selected among the group consisting of a mutated envelope protein, an envelope polypeptide, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector and an antibody according to any of the preceding claims, and in addition at least one excipient, carrier or diluent.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns the vaccine composition, further comprising at least one adjuvant.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a medical composition comprising antibodies raised using a virus according to the invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector, an antibody or a vaccine composition according to any of the preceding claims, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluents or carrier.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a use of a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence, a vector or an antibody according to any of the preceding claims, for a medical purpose, such as for the treatment, amelioration or prevention of a clinical condition, such as for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment, amelioration or prevention of a clinical condition.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns a method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, antigen, nucleic acid sequence, vector or vaccine composition according to any of the preceding claims.

According to an embodiment, the invention may be used with human and/or animal vira.

Table 2 below, provides the location of a number of identified immunosuppressive domains.

TABLE 2 Localization of identified immunosuppressive domains Family (-viridae), Subfamily (-virinae), Genus (-virus) or Species (-virus) of Localization of prototype viruses immunosuppressive domain Reference All Flavivirus Protein E (SEQ ID NO: 219) Seligman S J. Constancy and 98-DRGWGNXCGXFGKGXX-113 diversity in the flavivirus fusion peptide. Virol J. 2008 Feb 14; 5:27. All Flavivirus Protein E (SEQ ID NO: 220) FIG. 1 (e.g. Dengue 3) 416-GDTAWDFGSVGGVLNSLGK-434 Schmidt A G, Yang P L, Harrison S C. Peptide inhibitors of dengue-virus entry target a late-stage fusion intermediate. PLoS Pathog. 2010 Apr 8; 6(4):e1000851. Hepatitis C E2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) Albecka A, Montserret R, 71-GLIHLHQNIVDVQYLYG-87 Krey T, Tarr A W, Diesis E, Ball J K, Descamps V, Duverlie G, Rey F, Penin F, Dubuisson J. Identification of new functional regions in hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein E2. J Virol. 2011 Feb; 85(4):1777-92. Epub 2010 Dec 8. Influenza A 1-16 HA2 (SEQ ID NO: 4) Cross K J, Wharton S A, Influenza B 1-GLFGAIAGFIENGWEG-16 Skehel J J, Wiley D C, Steinhauer D A. Studies on influenza haemagglutinin fusion peptide mutants generated by reverse genetics. EMBO J. 2001 Aug 15; 20(16):4432-42.

According to an embodiment, an immunosuppressive domain may be identified by its position, e.g. as indicated in Table 2.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain identified by its position.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an immunosuppressive domain identified by its secondary, tertiary or quaternary structure in the folded fusion protein.

According to an embodiment, the invention concerns an entity selected among the group consisting of a mutated peptide, an envelope protein, a mutated envelope protein, an antigen, a nucleic acid sequence and a vector, wherein an immunosuppressive domain identified by its position, has been modified or mutated in order to suppress its immunosuppressive properties.

All cited references are incorporated by reference.

The accompanying Figures and Examples are provided to explain rather than limit the present invention. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that aspects, embodiments and claims of the present invention may be combined.

Examples

Peptide Solutions

The peptides were either dissolved in water or in cases of low water solubility, 5% DMSO solutions were used to dissolve the peptides.

Assay to Measure the Immunosuppressive Activity of Peptides Derived from Viral Surface Proteins or their Mutants

The peptides can be prepared by different means including, but not limited to, solid phase synthesis commonly used for such purposes. The peptides can be dimerized using a cysteine residue either at the N- or C-terminal or in the middle of the peptide or by using any other molecule or atom that is covalently bound to peptide molecules.

The peptides can be coupled to a carrier protein such as BSA by covalent bounds including, but not limited to, disulfide bridges between the peptide cysteine residues and the carrier protein or through amino groups including those in the side chain or Lysine residues.

The peptides can have non-viral derived amino acids added to their C-terminal for increasing their water solubility.

Assay to Test the Immunosuppressive Activity of Peptides

Experiment Design

Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) are prepared freshly from healthy donors. These are stimulated by Con A (5 ug/mL) concomitant to peptide addition at different concentrations (i.e. 25 uM, 50 uM and 100 uM). Cultures are maintained and lymphocyte proliferation is measured 72 hrs later by EdU incorporation and Click-iT labelling with Oregon Green (Invitrogen, Denmark) as recommended by the manufacturer. The degree of activated lymphocytes is proportional to the fluorescence detection.

CTLL-2 Assay

100.000 CTLL-2 cells are seeded pr. well in a 48 well-plate (Nunc) in 200 uL of medium (RPM I+2 mM L-glutamine+1 mM Na-pyruvat+10% FCS+0.5 ng/mL IL-2) 2 hours later the peptides are added to the wells. 24 h later the cells are labeled using the Click-it reaction kit (Invitrogen cat. #C35002). The fluorescence of the cells is measured on a flow cytometer. The degree of proliferation in each sample is proportional to the detected fluorescence.

Test of Immunosuppression from Monomer and Dimeric Peptides

100.000 CTLL-2 cells were seeded pr. well in a 48 well-plate (Nunc) in 200 uL of medium (RPMI+2 mM L-glutamine+1 mM Na-pyruvat+10% FCS+0.5 ng/mL IL-2) 2 hours later the peptides were added to the wells. 24 h later the cells were labeled using the Click-it reaction kit (Invitrogen cat. #C35002). The fluorescence of the cells was measured on a flow cytometer. The degree of proliferation in each sample is proportional to the detected fluorescence.

Quantification of Proliferation Inhibition

The degree of inhibition of proliferation of CTLL-2 cells is visualized in the diagrams in the figures. The ratios are calculated by dividing the number of labeled cells (growing cells) in cultures in presence of peptide with cultures in absence of peptides, but added the same volume of the solute that was used to dissolve the peptides. That is in cases where the peptides were dissolved in 5% DMSO, the same volume of 5% DMSO was added to the control cells.

APPENDIX

Classes of Enveloped RNA Viruses that Contain Human Pathogens

Flaviridae (Type II Fusion)

Flaviviridae have monopartite, linear, single-stranded RNA genomes of positive polarity, 9.6- to 12.3-kilobase in length. Virus particles are enveloped and spherical, about 40-60 nm in diameter.

Major diseases caused by the Flaviviridae family include:

-   -   Dengue fever     -   Japanese encephalitis     -   Kyasanur Forest disease     -   Murray Valley encephalitis     -   St. Louis encephalitis     -   Tick-borne encephalitis     -   West Nile encephalitis     -   Yellow fever     -   Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Existing Vaccines for Flaviridae

The successful yellow fever 17D vaccine, introduced in 1937, produced dramatic reductions in epidemic activity. Effective killed Japanese encephalitis and Tick-borne encephalitis vaccines were introduced in the middle of the 20th century. Unacceptable adverse events have prompted change from a mouse-brain killed Japanese encephalitis vaccine to safer and more effective second generation Japanese encephalitis vaccines. These may come into wide use to effectively prevent this severe disease in the huge populations of Asia—North, South and Southeast. The dengue viruses produce many millions of infections annually due to transmission by a successful global mosquito vector. As mosquito control has failed, several dengue vaccines are in varying stages of development. A tetravalent chimeric vaccine that splices structural genes of the four dengue viruses onto a 17D yellow fever backbone is in Phase III clinical testing.

Genus Flavivirus

Flaviviruses share a common size (40-65 nm), symmetry (enveloped, icosahedral nucleocapsid), nucleic acid (positive-sense, single stranded RNA approximately 10,000-11,000 bases), and appearance in the electron microscope.

These viruses are transmitted by the bite from an infected arthropod (mosquito or tick). Human infections with these viruses are typically incidental, as humans are unable to replicate the virus to high enough titres to reinfect arthropods and thus continue the virus life cycle. The exceptions to this are yellow fever and dengue viruses, which still require mosquito vectors, but are well-enough adapted to humans as to not necessarily depend upon animal hosts (although both continue have important animal transmission routes as well).

Genus Hepacivirus (Type Species Hepatitis C Virus, the Single Member)

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but once established, chronic infection can progress to scarring of the liver (fibrosis), and advanced scarring (cirrhosis), which is generally apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure or other complications of cirrhosis, including liver cancer or life threatening esophageal varices and gastric varices. The hepatitis C virus is spread by blood-to-blood contact. Most people have few, if any symptoms after the initial infection, yet the virus persists in the liver in about 85% of those infected. Persistent infection can be treated with medication, peg-interferon and ribavirin being the standard-of-care therapy. Overall, 51% are cured. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant, and the virus universally recurs after the transplant takes place. An estimated 180 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is not known to cause disease in other animals. No vaccine against hepatitis C is currently available. The existence of hepatitis C (originally “non-A non-B hepatitis”) was postulated in the 1970s and proven in 1989. It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E.

The hepatitis C virus is a small (50 nm in size), enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus. There are six major genotypes of the hepatitis C virus, which are indicated numerically (e.g., genotype 1, genotype 2, etc.). Based on the NS5 gene there are three major and eleven minor genotypes. The major genotypes diverged about 300-400 years ago from the ancestor virus. The minor genotypes diverged about 200 years ago from their major genotypes. All of the extant genotypes appear to have evolved from genotype 1 subtype 1b.

The hepatitis C virus is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact. In developed countries, it is estimated that 90% of persons with chronic HCV infection were infected through transfusion of unscreened blood or blood products or via injecting drug use or sexual exposure. In developing countries, the primary sources of HCV infection are unsterilized injection equipment and infusion of inadequately screened blood and blood products.

Genus Pestivirus

Togaviridae Type II Fusion

The Togaviridae are a family of viruses, including the following genera:

Genus Alphavirus;

Alphaviruses have a positive sense single stranded RNA genome. There are 27 alphaviruses, able to infect various vertebrates such as humans, rodents, fish, birds, and larger mammals such as horses as well as invertebrates. Transmission between species and individuals occurs mainly via mosquitoes making the alphaviruses a contributor to the collection of Arboviruses—or Arthropod Borne Viruses. Alphaviruses particles are enveloped, have a 70 nm diameter, tend to be spherical and have a 40 nm isometric nucleocapsid.

There are two open reading frames (ORF's) in the genome, non-structural and structural. The first is non structural and encodes proteins for transcription and replication of viral RNA, and the second encodes three structural proteins: the core nucleocapsid protein C, and the envelope proteins P62 and E1 that associate as a heterodimer. The viral membrane-anchored surface glycoproteins are responsible for receptor recognition and entry into target cells through membrane fusion. The proteolytic maturation of P62 into E2 and E3 causes a change in the viral surface. Together the E1, E2, and sometimes E3, glycoprotein “spikes” form an E1/E2 dimer or an E1/E2/E3 trimer, where E2 extends from the centre to the vertices, E1 fills the space between the vertices, and E3, if present, is at the distal end of the spike. Upon exposure of the virus to the acidity of the endosome, E1 dissociates from E2 to form an E1 homotrimer, which is necessary for the fusion step to drive the cellular and viral membranes together. The alphaviral glycoprotein E1 is a class II viral fusion protein. The structure of the Semliki Forest virus revealed a structure that is similar to that of flaviviral glycoprotein E, with three structural domains in the same primary sequence arrangement. The E2 glycoprotein functions to interact with the nucleocapsid through its cytoplasmic domain, while its ectodomain is responsible for binding a cellular receptor. Most alphaviruses lose the peripheral protein E3, but in Semliki viruses it remains associated with the viral surface.

Genus Rubivirus;

Genus Rubivirus

Bunyaviridae Type II Fusion Mechanism

Bunyaviridae is a family of negative-stranded RNA viruses. Though generally found in arthropods or rodents, certain viruses in this family occasionally infect humans. Some of them also infect plants.

Bunyaviridae are vector-borne viruses. With the exception of Hantaviruses, transmission occurs via an arthropod vector (mosquitos, tick, or sandfly). Hantaviruses are transmitted through contact with deer mice feces. Incidence of infection is closely linked to vector activity, for example, mosquito-borne viruses are more common in the summer.

Human infections with certain Bunyaviridae, such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality, consequently handling of these viruses must occur with a Biosafety level 4 laboratory. They are also the cause of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Hanta virus or Hantavirus Hemorrhagic fever, common in Korea, Scandinavia, Russia, and the American southwest, is associated with high fever, lung edema and pulmonary failure. Mortality is around 55%.

The antibody reaction plays an important role in decreasing levels of viremia.

Genus Hantavirus; Type Species: Hantaan Virus

Hantaviruses are negative sense RNA viruses in the Bunyaviridae family. Humans may be infected with hantaviruses through rodent bites, urine, saliva or contact with rodent waste products. Some hantaviruses cause potentially fatal diseases in humans, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), but others have not been associated with human disease. HPS cannot be transmitted person-to-person. The name hantavirus is derived from the Hantan River area in South Korea, which provided the founding member of the group: Hantaan virus (HTNV), isolated in the late 1970s by Ho-Wang Lee and colleagues. HTNV is one of several hantaviruses that cause HFRS, formerly known as Korean hemorrhagic fever.

Genus Ortho-Bunya-Virus

The orthobunyaviruses are maintained in nature by sylvatic transmission cycles between hematophagous mosquitoes and susceptible mammalian hosts, principally rodents and other small mammals. Several members of the California serogroup of orthobunyaviruses, including La Crosse (LAC) and Tahyna (TAH) viruses, are significant human pathogens. LAC virus is an important cause of pediatric encephalitis and aseptic meningitis in the Midwestern United States where approximately 100 cases are reported annually; TAH virus, indigenous to central Europe, is associated with influenzalike febrile illnesses. La Crosse virus is a NIAID Category B priority pathogen.

The orthobunyaviruses are enveloped, negative-stranded RNA viruses with a tripartite genome comprised of large (L), medium (M), and small (S) segments The M segment encodes three proteins in a single open reading frame (ORF): two surface transmembrane glycoproteins, herein referred to as Gn (G2) and Gc (G1), respectively, to delineate their order in the precursor polyprotein, and NSm, a protein of unknown function. Gn and Gc are thought to associate as a heteromultimer after cleavage of the polyprotein.

Genus Phlebovirus; type species: Rift Valley fever virus

Phlebovirus is one of five genera of the family Bunyaviridae. The Phlebovirus genus currently comprises over 70 antigenically distinct serotypes, only a few of which have been studied. The 68 known serotypes are divided into two groups: the Phlebotomus fever viruses (the sandfly group, transmitted by Phlebotominae sandflies) comprises 55 members and the Uukuniemi group (transmitted by ticks) comprises the remaining 13 members.

Of these 68 serotypes, eight of them have been linked to disease in humans. They are: Alenquer virus, Candiru virus, Chagres virus, Naples virus, Punta Toro virus, Rift Valley fever, Sicilian virus, and Toscana virus. Recently identified is another human pathogenic serotype, the SFTS virus.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis (affects primarily domestic livestock, but can be passed to humans) causing fever. It is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, typically the Aedes or Culex genera. The disease is caused by the RVF virus, a member of the genus Phlebovirus (family Bunyaviridae). The disease was first reported among livestock in Kenya around 1915, but the virus was not isolated until 1931. RVF outbreaks occur across sub-Saharan Africa, with outbreaks occurring elsewhere infrequently (but sometimes severely—in Egypt in 1977-78, several million people were infected and thousands died during a violent epidemic. In Kenya in 1998, the virus claimed the lives of over 400 Kenyans. In September 2000 an outbreak was confirmed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen).

In humans the virus can cause several different syndromes. Usually sufferers have either no symptoms or only a mild illness with fever, headache, myalgia and liver abnormalities. In a small percentage of cases (<2%) the illness can progress to hemorrhagic fever syndrome, meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or affecting the eye. Patients who become ill usually experience fever, generalized weakness, back pain, dizziness, and weight loss at the onset of the illness. Typically, patients recover within 2-7 days after onset.

Approximately 1% of human sufferers die of the disease. Amongst livestock the fatality level is significantly higher. In pregnant livestock infected with RVF there is the abortion of virtually 100% of fetuses. An epizootic (animal disease epidemic) of RVF is usually first indicated by a wave of unexplained abortions.

Orthomyxoviridae Type I Fusion

The Orthomyxoviridae (orthos, Greek for “straight”; myxa, Greek for “mucus”)′ are a family of RNA viruses that includes five genera: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B, Influenzavirus C, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. A sixth has recently been described. The first three genera contain viruses that cause influenza in vertebrates, including birds (see also avian influenza), humans, and other mammals. Isaviruses infect salmon; thogotoviruses infect vertebrates and invertebrates, such as mosquitoes and sea lice.

The three genera of Influenzavirus, which are identified by antigenic differences in their nucleoprotein and matrix protein infect vertebrates as follows:

-   -   Influenzavirus A infects humans, other mammals, and birds, and         causes all flu pandemics     -   Influenzavirus B infects humans and seals     -   Influenzavirus C infects humans and pigs

Paramyxoviridae Type I Fusion Mechanism

The fusion protein F projects from the envelope surface as a trimer, and mediates cell entry by inducing fusion between the viral envelope and the cell membrane by class I fusion. One of the defining characteristics of members of the paramyxoviridae family is the requirement for a neutral pH for fusogenic activity. A number of important human diseases are caused by paramyxoviruses. These include mumps, measles, which caused 745,000 deaths in 2001 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is the major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and children. The parainfluenza viruses are the second most common causes of respiratory tract disease in infants and children. They can cause pneumonia, bronchitis and croup in children and the elderly.

Human metapneumovirus, initially described in about 2001, is also implicated in bronchitis, especially in children.

genus Paramyxoviruses are also responsible for a range of diseases in other animal species, for example canine distemper virus (dogs), phocine distemper virus (seals), cetacean morbillivirus (dolphins and porpoises) Newcastle disease virus (birds), and rinderpest virus (cattle). Some paramyxoviruses such as the henipaviruses are zoonotic pathogens, occurring naturally in an animal host, but also able to infect humans.

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) in the genus Henipavirus have emerged in humans and livestock in Australia and Southeast Asia. Both viruses are contagious, highly virulent, and capable of infecting a number of mammalian species and causing potentially fatal disease. Due to the lack of a licensed vaccine or antiviral therapies, HeV and NiV are designated as biosafety level (BSL) 4 agents. The genomic structure of both viruses is that of a typical paramyxovirus.

Genus Pneumovirinae

-   -   Genus Pneumovirus (type species Human respiratory syncytial         virus, others include Bovine respiratory syncytial virus)     -   Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes         respiratory tract infections. It is the major cause of lower         respiratory tract infections and hospital visits during infancy         and childhood. A prophylactic medication (not a vaccine) exists         for preterm birth (under 35 weeks gestation) infants and infants         with a congenital heart defect (CHD) or bronchopulmonary         dysplasia (BPD). Treatment is limited to supportive care,         including oxygen therapy.     -   In temperate climates there is an annual epidemic during the         winter months. In tropical climates, infection is most common         during the rainy season.     -   In the United States, 60% of infants are infected during their         first RSV season and nearly all children will have been infected         with the virus by 2-3 years of age.         en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_syncytial_virus-cite_note-Glezen86-0         Of those infected with RSV, 2-3% will develop bronchiolitis,         necessitating hospitalization Natural infection with RSV induces         protective immunity which wanes over time—possibly more so than         other respiratory viral infections—and thus people can be         infected multiple times. Sometimes an infant can become         symptomatically infected more than once, even within a single         RSV season. Severe RSV infections have increasingly been found         among elderly patients.     -   RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the family         Paramyxoviridae, which includes common respiratory viruses such         as those causing measles and mumps. RSV is a member of the         paramyxovirus subfamily Pneumovirinae. Its name comes from the         fact that F proteins on the surface of the virus cause the cell         membranes on nearby cells to merge, forming syncytia.

Coronaviriridae Type I Fusion

Coronaviruses primarily infect the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of mammals and birds. Four to five different currently known strains of coronaviruses infect humans. The most publicized human coronavirus, SARS-CoV which causes SARS, has a unique pathogenesis because it causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections and can also cause gastroenteritis. Coronaviruses are believed to cause a significant percentage of all common colds in human adults. Coronaviruses cause colds in humans primarily in the winter and early spring seasons. The significance and economic impact of coronaviruses as causative agents of the common cold are hard to assess because, unlike rhinoviruses (another common cold virus), human coronaviruses are difficult to grow in the laboratory.

Coronaviruses also cause a range of diseases in farm animals and domesticated pets, some of which can be serious and are a threat to the farming industry. Economically significant coronaviruses of farm animals include porcine coronavirus (transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus, TGE) and bovine coronavirus, which both result in diarrhea in young animals. Feline Coronavirus: 2 forms, Feline enteric coronavirus is a pathogen of minor clinical significance, but spontaneous mutation of this virus can result in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease associated with high mortality. There are two types of canine coronavirus (CCoV), one that causes mild gastrointestinal disease and one that has been found to cause respiratory disease. Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is a coronavirus that causes an epidemic murine illness with high mortality, especially among colonies of laboratory mice. Prior to the discovery of SARS-CoV, MHV had been the best-studied coronavirus both in vivo and in vitro as well as at the molecular level. Some strains of MHV cause a progressive demyelinating encephalitis in mice which has been used as a murine model for multiple sclerosis. Significant research efforts have been focused on elucidating the viral pathogenesis of these animal coronaviruses, especially by virologists interested in veterinary and zoonotic diseases.

SARS-Coronavirus

SARS is most closely related to group 2 coronaviruses, but it does not segregate into any of the other three groups of coronaviruses. SARS was determined to be an early split off from the group 2 coronaviruses based on a set of conserved domains that it shares with group 2. A main difference between group 2 coronovirus and SARS is the nsp3 replicase subunit encoded by ORF1a. SARS does not have a papain-like proteinase 1.

Arenaviridae: Glycoprotein G2 is a Type I Fusion

Arenavirus is a genus of virus that infects rodents and occasionally humans. At least eight Arenaviruses are known to cause human disease. The diseases derived from Arenaviruses range in severity. Aseptic meningitis, a severe human disease that causes inflammation covering the brain and spinal cord, can arise from the Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Hemorrhagic fever syndromes are derived from infections such Guanarito virus (GTOV), Junin virus (JUNV), Lassa virus (LASV) causing Lassa fever, Machupo virus (MACV), Sabia virus (SABV), or Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV).^([1]) Arenaviruses are divided into two groups; the Old World or New World. The differences between these groups are distinguished geographically and genetically. Because of the epidemiological association with rodents, some arenaviruses and bunyaviruses are designated as Roboviruses.

-   -   LCMV-Lassa virus (Old World) complex:         -   Ippy virus         -   Lassa virus         -   Lujo virus         -   Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

LCMV infection manifests itself in a wide range of clinical symptoms, and may even be asymptomatic for immunocompetent individuals. Onset typically occurs between one or two weeks after exposure to the virus and is followed by a biphasic febrile illness. During the initial or prodromal phase, which may last up to a week, common symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, headache, muscle aches, malaise, nausea, and/or vomiting. Less frequent symptoms include a sore throat and cough, as well as joint, chest, and parotid pain. The onset of the second phase occurs several days after recovery, and consists of symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. Pathological findings during the first stage consist of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. During the second phase, typical findings include elevated protein levels, increased leukocyte count, or a decrease in glucose levels of the cerebrospinal fluid).

Congenital Infection

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a particular concern in obstetrics, as vertical transmission is known to occur. For immunocompetent mothers, there is no significant threat, but the virus has damaging effects upon the fetus. If infection occurs during the first trimester, LCMV results in an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Later congenital infection may lead to malformations such as chorioretinitis, intracranial calcifications, hydrocephalus, microcephaly or macrocephaly, mental retardation, and seizures. Other findings include chorioretinal scars, optic atrophy, and cataracts. Mortality among infants is approximately 30%. Among the survivors, two thirds have lasting neurologic abnormalities. If a woman has come into contact with a rodent during pregnancy and LCM symptoms are manifested, a blood test is available to determine previous or current infection. A history of infection does not pose a risk for future pregnancies.

Human-to-Human Transmission Through Organ Donation

In May 2005, four solid-organ transplant recipients contracted an illness that was later diagnosed as lymphocytic choriomeningitis. All received organs from a common donor, and within a month of transplantation, three of the four recipients had died as a result of the viral infection. Epidemiologic investigation traced the source to a pet hamster that the organ donor had recently purchased from a Rhode Island pet store. A similar case occurred in Massachusetts in 2008. Currently, there is not a LCMV infection test that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for organ donor screening. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report advises health-care providers to “consider LCMV infection in patients with aseptic meningitis and encephalitis and in organ transplant recipients with unexplained fever, hepatitis, or multisystem organ failure.”

Hepadnaviridae: Fusion Mechanism Neither Type I Nor Type II

Hepadnaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause liver infections in humans and animals. There are two recognized genera

Hepadnaviruses have very small genomes of partially double-stranded, partially single stranded circular DNA. The genome consists of two uneven strands of DNA. One has a negative-sense orientation, and the other, shorter, strand has a positive-sense orientation.

As it is a group 7 virus, replication involves an RNA intermediate. Three main open reading frames are encoded (ORFS) and the virus has four known genes which encode the core protein, the virus polymerase, surface antigens (preS1, preS2, and S) and the X protein. The X protein is thought to be non-structural; however, its function and significance are poorly understood.

Rhabdoviridae Fusion Mechanism Neither Type I Nor Type II

Rhabdoviruses carry their genetic material in the form of negative-sense single-stranded RNA. They typically carry genes for five proteins: large protein (L), glycoprotein (G), nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and matrix protein (M). Rhabdoviruses that infect vertebrates are bullet-shaped. The prototypical and best studied rhabdovirus is vesicular stomatitis virus.

Rhabdoviruses are important pathogens of animals and plants. Rhabdoviruses include RaV (Rabies virus), VSV (Vesicular stomatitis virus). Rhabdoviruses are transmitted to hosts by arthropods, such as aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, black flies, sandflies, and mosquitoes.

A sequence listing is provided as an ASCII text file named “Substitute-Sequence-Listing-24Mar2021-12397-0503” created on 24 Mar. 2021 and having a size of 63120 bytes. The ASCII text file is hereby incorporated by reference in the application.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

-   1. Sapir, A., et al., Viral and developmental cell fusion     mechanisms: conservation and divergence. Dev Cell, 2008. 14(1): p.     11-21. -   2. Cianciolo, G. J., et al., Murine malignant cells synthesize a     19,000-dalton protein that is physicochemically and antigenically     related to the immunosuppressive retroviral protein, P15E. J Exp     Med, 1983. 158(3): p. 885-900. -   3. Hebebrand, L. C., et al., Inhibition of human lymphocyte mitogen     and antigen response by a 15,000-dalton protein from feline leukemia     virus. Cancer Res, 1979. 39(2 Pt 1): p. 443-7. -   4. Cianciolo, G. J., et al., Macrophage accumulation in mice is     inhibited by low molecular weight products from murine leukemia     viruses. J Immunol, 1980. 124(6): p. 2900-5. -   5. Mangeney, M. and T. Heidmann, Tumor cells expressing a retroviral     envelope escape immune rejection in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci     USA, 1998. 95(25): p. 14920-5. -   6. Mangeney, M., et al., Placental syncytins: Genetic disjunction     between the fusogenic and immunosuppressive activity of retroviral     envelope proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2007. 104(51): p.     20534-9. -   7. Cianciolo, G. J., et al., Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation     by a synthetic peptide homologous to retroviral envelope proteins.     Science, 1985. 230(4724): p. 453-5. -   8. Cianciolo, G. J., H. Bogerd, and R. Snyderman, Human     retrovirus-related synthetic peptides inhibit T lymphocyte     proliferation. Immunol Lett, 1988. 19(1): p. 7-13. -   9. Yaddanapudi, K., et al., Implication of a retrovirus-like     glycoprotein peptide in the immunopathogenesis of Ebola and Marburg     viruses. Faseb J, 2006. 20(14): p. 2519-30. -   10. Haraguchi, S., et al. Differential modulation of Th1-and     Th2-related cytokine mRNA expression by a synthetic peptide     homologous to a conserved domain within retroviral envelope protein.     Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1995. 92, 3611-15. -   11. Harrell, R. A., et al Cianciolo. Suppression of the respiratory     burst of human monocytes by a synthetic peptide homologous to     envelope proteins of human and animal retroviruses. J Immunol, 1986.     136, 3517-520. -   12. Kleinerman, E. S., et al. Lachman. A synthetic peptide     homologous to the envelope proteins of retroviruses inhibits     monocyte-mediated killing by inactivating interleukin 1. J     Immunol, 1987. 139, 2329-337. -   13. Schlecht-Louf G., et al. Retro viral infection in vivo requires     an immune escape virulence factor encrypted in the envelope protein     of oncoretroviruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2010 Feb. 23;     107(8):3782-7. -   14. Volchkov V E et al. The envelope glycoprotein of Ebola virus     contains an immunosuppressive-like domain similar to oncogenic     retroviruses. FEBS Lett. 1992 Jul. 6; 305(3):181-4. -   15. Cross K J, Wharton S A, Skehel J J, Wiley D C, Steinhauer D A.     Studies on influenza haemagglutinin fusion peptide mutants generated     by reverse genetics. EMBO J. 2001 Aug. 15; 20(16):4432-42. 

1. A synthetic peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, optionally harboring 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 point mutation(s), and further comprising a cysteine residue at an N-terminal or C-terminal position.
 2. The synthetic peptide according to claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 harbors 1 or 2 or 3 point mutation(s).
 3. The synthetic peptide according to claim 1, wherein said point mutation(s) are selected from the group consisting of at least one exchange of an amino acid with another amino acid, at least one insertion, at least one deletion, or a combination of one or more of these.
 4. The synthetic peptide according to claim 1, wherein said synthetic peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:214, optionally harboring 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 point mutation(s).
 5. The synthetic peptide according to claim 4, wherein the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:214 harbors 1 or 2 or 3 point mutation(s).
 6. The synthetic peptide according to claim 1, wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue.
 7. The synthetic peptide according to claim 6, wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue.
 8. The synthetic peptide according to claim 4, wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue.
 9. The synthetic peptide according to claim 8, wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue.
 10. A nucleic acid sequence encoding the synthetic peptide according to claim
 1. 11. A method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of the synthetic peptide according to claim
 1. 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the synthetic peptide according to claim
 1. 13. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12, further comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.
 14. A synthetic peptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and further comprising a cysteine residue at an N-terminal or C-terminal position.
 15. The synthetic peptide according to claim 14, wherein said synthetic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence with at least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:214.
 16. The synthetic peptide according to claim 14, wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue.
 17. The synthetic peptide according to claim 16, wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue.
 18. The synthetic peptide according to claim 15, wherein said synthetic peptide is a dimeric form of said synthetic peptide and wherein said synthetic peptide is dimerized through said cysteine residue.
 19. The synthetic peptide according to claim 18, wherein said dimerization is through a disulfide bond involving said cysteine residue.
 20. A method of treating or ameliorating the symptoms of an individual, or prophylactic treating an individual, comprising administering an amount of the synthetic peptide according to claim
 14. 